By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, October 22, Mana: Acting Agriculture Extension Development Officer (AEDO) for Mphompha Extension Planning Area in Rumphi, Dickson Mtawali said that the area has registered increased demand for Climate Smart Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) by farmers.

According to Mtawali, the demand follows successes by their peers who are participants in the programme.  

In an interview on Tuesday, Mtawali said farmers themselves have started demanding for the services compared to initial stages when his office struggled to attract farmers to embrace the programme.

"Initially we had challenges to access pieces of land on which we could carry out CS-EPWP activities because some farmers felt that making swales reduced hectares of their farm land hence reducing yield production.

“About 40 percent of farmers have now realized that swales, contour marker ridges and other interventions reduce surface water runoff but instead conserve water and soil for improved agricultural production," said Mtawali.

One of the farmers who is in need of the services, George Mhango said that he had been struggling to contain surface water runoff due to wanton cutting down of trees which led to serious soil degradation and erosion.

He said that following his demand for the services, CS-EPWP participants have since made contour marker ridges in his farm besides planting trees and promoting regeneration of natural trees.

Another beneficiary, Modester Kalua of Mhuju within the EPA said that CS-EPWP activities have enhanced protection of her forest through the use of fire brakes which contain bush fires. 

CS-EPWP District Project Facilitator (DPF) for Rumphi, Maclean Munyenyembe said that he is optimistic that the program will enhance farmers’ resilience in responding to climate change shocks and improve food security.

The programme which is being implemented in 28 local authorities is coordinated by National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) with funding from Multi Donor Trust Fund and World Bank.

CS-EPWP is a Malawi Government programme under Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods (SSRLP) which gears at conserving water and soil among other environmental related elements in response to climate change.