By George Mponda

Karonga, March 19, Mana: Communities in Karonga are reaping the benefits of the Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) as the rainy season continues.

The CS-EPWP focuses on soil and water conservation works among other environmental interventions.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Wednesday, one of the participants to the programme, Alex Mwalilino, from Sanambe Catchment said the programme has helped farmers in the district to control flow of water in their fields.

Mwalilino said through the programme, communities constructed contour ridges and canals to conserve water and reduce soil erosion.

“We did not think much of these works but now with the intensity of the rain, these conservation works will help to increase agricultural productivity besides reducing the risk of flooding.

“Rains in Karonga is unpredictable, but I have noted that the deep trenches which we dug have been holding water which is being used by my crops even during prolonged dry spells," Mwalilino said.

Another participant, Paul Kamanga, a farmer from Walamba Village in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu said last year he lost most of his crops due to flooding.

"But this year, thanks to contour ridges and terracing, my crops are safe, and I'm expecting a bumper harvest.

 “The project has also helped me to have an economic activity through selling of organic fertilizer which I make using skills and knowledge gained from CS-EPWP," Kamanga said.

According to the Land Resource and Conservation Officer for Karonga District Council, Mirabel Munthali, the initiative has positively transformed agriculture practices in the district.

"The programme has helped increase agricultural productivity hence contributing to improved food security besides enhancing community resilience to climate change.

Karonga is prone to natural disasters like floods and dry spells but through the adoption of climate smart agriculture practices, farmers have adapted to climate related shocks," Munthali said.