Irrigation pumps make men too tired for sex

Malawi will investigate fears that labour-intensive manual irrigation pumps distributed to poor farmers are hurting their sexual performance.

The farmers say using the pump makes them too tired for sex and have voiced their anger to the Government.

"The Government is aware of the problem, the parliamentary committee on irrigation is also concerned about it and we intend to start probing and finding out if the pumps are really to blame for the problem," said an official.

The high-capacity treadle pump, touted as a leading reason for improved food security in the southern African country, is designed to lift water from shallow wells.