By Duncan Mlanjira
In his quest to properly enjoy his retirement after 32 years of government service, 28 years of which as a law enforcement officer and 4 years as a diplomat, former Inspector General of Police, Lot Thauzeni Pansipadana Dzonzi has concentrated on one of his passions — farming.
Dzonzi, who has concentrated on growing food, says one can never go wrong with horticulture, saying there are 17 million mouths to feed in this country.
Hands own
“If daring, you can also have your eyes on the export market,” he says. “Foreigners are doing it from the very same crops that we produce right here.”
Dzonzi said this after this reporter approached him based on observation of his passion through his picture postings on Facebook in which he announced he has diversified by including growing fruits.
“My interest and involvement in agricultural activities is something that I have done for sometime. It afforded me sending my children to private schools and my son to a private university.
He also keeps livestock
“In my contemplations on life after public service, I identified agri-business as one of the tripod activities I would engage in, not as a pastime but as a serious business undertaking.”
He said since his arrival back in Malawi from the US some three months ago where he served as Deputy Permanent Representative/Deputy Ambassador of Malawi to the United Nations, he started developing an orchard on a 2-acre land at Namalango Village near Mpingu Trading Centre in Lilongwe.
“I have and I am planting a variety of fruit trees — mangoes, oranges, lemons, guavas, including sugar canes.
“Intergeneration thinking led me to the decision to plant fruit trees. It is mostly my children and, with God’s blessings, my grandchildren that will be beneficiaries of these.
Drip irrigation farming
“We are also developing a bigger horticultural garden to grow vegetables for sell. My initial plan is to engage in drip irrigation and as we grow to get into greenhouse farming and hydroponics.
“Of course, we also grow maize, groundnuts, soya beans, red beans and cow peas for both home consumption and for selling as a business.
“I am studying how to grow ginger, tumeric and water melons.
“My long term goal is to raise enough funds to support my second tripod in my retirement plan, youth leadership development. I am confident the third tripod, consultancy can be self sustaining.”
He said many people in retirement suffer from boredom and even depression and sometimes die early when they do not engage themselves into doing something worthwhile to which they can attach strong passion.
Another of his passion, books
“Victor Frank, in his book Search for Meaning, says ‘a person who finds a why for living will always find a how to live’.
“That is exactly what I am doing to avoid boredom and depression while I wait for my children to give me grandchildren.
“Incidentally, I grew up at Colby College of Agriculture, close to where the Natural Resources College stands — that has had a contribution in shaping my attitude towards farming.
Books he has written
“I also have a small backyard vegetable garden at my residence. Since returning I have planted vegetables which we have started consuming and, guess what, my wife — who can sell anything farm produce — has started selling some.
“This morning she sold K2,000 worth of vegetables in the neighbourhood. That is eqivalent to 10 minibus trips from Kachere to Labour Office.
“I think God created the world green and beautiful. This place was barren red and infertile a few weeks ago but a little manure and water has turned it into a beautiful green, edible and exchangeable with a few kwachas,” he said.