By Emily M'mangisa
Zomba, October 5, Mana: Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project (Mwasip) has disbursed grants amounting to K285 million to communities implementing sustainable land management activities in Zomba District.
The funds are meant to encourage members through their Village Level Action Plan (VILAPS) to continue conserving the environment while establishing small-scale businesses.
Speaking during the funds disbursement at Chingale in the district, Zomba District Commissioner, Reignhard Chavula, advised farmers to invest the money into profitable enterprises.
She said although the grant is a token of appreciation for participating in conserving the environment, recipients of the grants should use the resources for businesses that should bring profits to broaden their income base.
“The value of money depends on how you use it. I, therefore, urge you to invest this money into something that will continue to spin money for you,” Chavula advised the recipients.
Mwasip Technical Officer, Joseph Kanyangalazi, said the Community Environmental Conservation Fund is aimed at encouraging farmers to conserve the environment.
He said farmers in Zomba have managed to restore 7,000 hectares which is worth rewarding.
“The target is 8,000 hectares and I believe that this will be achieved and even surpassed. All the 77 groups have been awarded with grants in recognition to their efforts to conserve the environment,” Kanyangalazi said.
One of the recipients, Joseph Kachimanga, said the gesture has motivated communities to continue protecting and conserving the environment in Chingale and has since promised to effectively utilize the funds.
Mwasip, which aims at restoring 4.5 million of degraded hectares by 2030, has been implementing sustainable land management activities for over four years in Chingale, an area along the Shire River Basin.
The objective of the project is to reduce soil degradation and river siltation due to human activities which include deforestation and cultivation along the river line.
