By Innocent Chunga & Wongani Mkandawire

Nkhotakota, April 11, Mana: In an effort to protect and address the effects of climate change, Nkhotakota District Council has committed to continue providing technical support in the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) for smooth implementation of the project in the district.

Speaking after a catchment supervision visit of the programme in the areas of Senior Chiefs Mwansambo, Mphonde and Mwadzama on Wednesday, Desk Officer for CSEPWP in the district, Arthur Chiwayula, said the project aimed at addressing climate change, environmental degradation and sustainable development to communities in the district and so needs expert technical support.

Chiwayula said beneficiaries in the district are conserving soil and water resources through various activities which are being implemented to achieve the project's goals, such as making swale and tree planting, among others.

“We will continue to assist target beneficiaries in the district, as the structures have helped them to restore their land and improve yields as these projects reduce soil erosion in some parts in the district," said Chiwayula.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency, Agriculture Extension and Development Officer (AEDO) for Mwansambo Extension Area (EPA), Grace Phiri, said before introduction of the programme, her catchment area was affected by running water, leading to low yield of crops as well as degraded soil fertility in the area.

“Our beneficiaries here have seen improvements in yields in all catchment areas as these projects reduce soil erosion, helped communities in protecting natural resources and adopt climate smart agricultural techniques,” said Phiri.

Chairperson for Thanga Catchment Management Committee (CMC) in the area of Senior Chief Mwansambo, Stanley Benjamin, has since asked for more support from officials, as the project continues in its third cycle, to teach them to incorporate environmental conservation technologies in addressing challenges related to climate change.

“We are doing various activities here at Thanga, including planting trees and making swales to control surface run-off and the programme has helped us a lot in improving soil fertility,” he said.

Another beneficiary, a member of the Mandowa sub-catchment area, said government should continue supporting the project to vulnerable communities, citing that it is enhancing lives of people in the area.

The multi-billion kwacha programme is a component of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Programme (SSRLP), a Government project implemented through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) and funded by the World Bank and the Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund.

By Patricia Kapulula

Salima, April 10, Mana: Challenges such as inadequate access to inputs such as seed has hindered the potential of cotton production in Malawi, as well as Southern Africa, making farmers shun growing the crop.

Department of Crop Development Deputy Director, Martin John Gausi, made the remarks in Salima on Tuesday during a field day on cotton seed multiplication.

He expressed concern that cotton production hactarage is going down as there are less farmers in the field hence the need for partnerships so that farmers can access inputs at affordable prices.

“In the cotton sector, one of the challenges is availability of seed. Mostly, farmers access hybrid seed which is imported from India and is expensive. So the field day showcased alternative seed varieties such as OPV which farmers can also buy and grow the crop,” he said.

He said in the uncertainty future of tobacco amid the global anti-smoking initiatives, cotton emerges promising to meet both local demand and contribute to export earnings.

Regional Head of Programmes for Solidaridad Southern Africa, Humprey Nxumalo concurred with Gausi saying issues of access to seed is very crucial in as far cotton is concerned.

He said in order to increase production, his organization has partnered with Cotton Council of Malawi, Masapa and Kvuno to establish seed that can be available to farmers at an affordable price.

Regional Operations Lead for Kvuno, Lydia Banda, described partnerships as important to enhance seed availability among smallholder farmers.

“Kvuno supports seed multiplication to ensure that farmers are accessing it at affordable prices as well providing alternative solutions to purchasing the seed such as loans and credit schemes,” she said.

The field day, which was held under the theme ‘Fair and Sustainable Cultivation of Cotton for all’ was done to celebrate OPV cotton varieties and demonstrate recommended agronomic practices.

By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, April 10, Mana: Salima Sugar Company Limited Tuesday revealed that it has recruited 2,500 seasonal workers to necessitate smooth operation when it commences production of sugar on April, 16,2024, after closing in November 2023.

The development was revealed at Salima Sugar Company premises during the official handover of a small-scale farm to Salima Sugar Company as an operator and the signing of a management agreement between the company and Lingadzi Cooperative in Salima district.

Greenbelt Authority Board Chairperson, Wester Kosamu said at the moment the company has been undergoing reformatory processes after termination of its contract with Aum Sugar Co. Ltd.

"We want this company to benefit Malawians unlike in the past, we are changing how business was run, to produce a commodity that will be available across the country and should be well known on the market," he said.

Kosamu said they have issued distributorship licenses to eligible business people to start distribution of the commodity soon after production commences.

He said in the past there was widespread concerns about availability of sugar produced in Salima on the market therefore they have taken strategic steps to ensure that once production commences the commodity would be available across the country.

"Distributorship contracts are a key strategy aimed at ensuring that the country has a sufficient supply of sugar and effectively addressing the ongoing sugar crisis," the Chairperson said.

He added: "We anticipate more than 200 small-scale sugarcane farmers under Lingadzi Cooperative to get more profits from their farming activities based on the fact that they will now have the opportunity to negotiate the sale prices of their sugarcane with the company."

Senior Chief Khombedza said prioritizing local communities would assist in bringing sanity in his area and instill a spirit of ownership in surrounding communities not to destroy the farm or encroach the land.

"There was growing tension between surrounding communities because they were not benefitting as anticipated from the company therefore they were becoming violent at times, the farmers lacked the chance to negotiate sugarcane prices as a result getting prices below their expectation," he disclosed.

Lingadzi Cooperative Chairperson, Yohane Msalira said members of the cooperative could now look forward to better negotiated prices for their sugarcane, leading to improved financial prospects and livelihoods.

With a landholding of around 500 hectares, Lingadzi Cooperative aims to make a significant contribution to Salima Sugar Company's production activities.

By Chisomo Kambandanga

NKhata Bay, April 10, Mana: District Commissioner (DC) For Nkhata Bay, Rodgers Newa has indicted that the expansion of District’s Council Chamber would promote transparency and accountability as it would allow more people to attend full council meetings.

He said this Wednesday after supervising the K149 million construction project, being implemented with finances from District Development Fund (DDF).

“The Council Chamber is an important infrastructure that is supposed to be a hub for decision making at the council hence it must be befitting for that purpose. The Chamber that was being used was basically in an old state and small in size.

“In the spirit of transparency and accountability, it is a requirement that the Chamber has to accommodate even the interested citizens apart from the councilors, members of parliament and Traditional Authorities," Newa said.

He said he was impressed with the quality of work, adding that with progress taking place and was optimistic that the project would be completed even before the contractual period of 120 days.  

Chairperson for Nkhata Bay District Council, Osman Charge Phiri said all full council members are excited with the upcoming structure because it would give them respect and value during deliberations apart from changing the face of the council.

He urged all stakeholders to work together in intensifying monitoring and supervision up to the time when the project would be handed over.

Chairperson for Civil Society Organizations in Nkhata Bay, Michael Mwenechawa commended the council for the project, saying it would not only benefit full council members but also be used for other activities happening at the council.

According to Acting Director of Public Works, George Gopani, the renovated council Chamber would have a capacity of 60 people as it has been doubled to the previous one.

By Memory Chatonda

Blantyre, April 10, Mana: Beneficiaries of Emergency Urban Cash Transfer Intervention (Mtukula Pakhomo WA Mmizinda) in Blantyre have hailed government for providing them with cash transfers to aalleviate immediate economic hardships they face in day to day life as each of the 43,355 beneficiaries received K150, 000 this week.

One of the beneficiaries, Agness Nthambala from Ndirande Township told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Wednesday that with K150, 000 received under the intervention, she intends to boost her business capital on top of investing part of it in Village Savings and Loan (VSL) group.

“I run a grocery shop to support my three children with food and other basic necessities but currently, the shop is almost empty because I could not afford to raise enough money to restock the shop amidst devaluation. I am glad that I have received K150, 000 from government which will go a long way in supporting my business and I am grateful for the assistance,” she said.

Another beneficiary, Wilson Nedi from Zingwangwa Township said was determined to use the money to contribute to recapitalisation of his hardware business in Limbe market which was affected by the prices shock.

“Besides, I will use the money to purchase food and related basic necessities at my home as one way of creating resilience in the face of price shock that arose from the devaluation,” he said

National Local Government Finance Committee, Shock Sensitive Specialist and Scalable Mechanism Coordinator, Mulder Mkutumula said he was glad that beneficiaries plan to invest the money in small income generating activities to support their families.

“It is imperative that the beneficiaries understand that they need to use the funds very well as we just had El-Nino and this year we may have some food insecurity. They can invest it by joining the Community Savings Investment Promotion (COMSIP) groups like VSL in order to save more money,” he said.

According to Mkutumula, as of Monday this week at total of K6.7 billion had been disbursed through TNM to 43,335 beneficiaries in Blantyre city, with each receiving K150, 000.

Deputy Director of Social Welfare in the Ministry of Gender, Laurent Kansinjiro said was satisfied with the intervention expressing optimism that it would go a long way to create resilience in communities at a time they are facing hardships including hunger.

The K15.7 billon intervention which is under the Malawi Social Protection Support Programme targets 105,000 households in Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Zomba cities and is funded by World Bank and Malawi Social Protection Multi donor Trust fund.

By Solister Mogha

Zomba, April 10, Mana: Minister of Mining, Monica Chang’anamuno has ordered immediate stop of alluvial gold mining activities at Traditional Authority (TA) M’biza in Zomba.

The Minister’s order follows reports of various abuses at the mining site and that most of those involved did not have proper documents and were foreigners.

Speaking Tuesday after a consultative meeting with officials from Zomba and Chiradzulu District Councils and community members from TA M’biza, the Minister said her ministry received a number of reports about child labour, sexual abuse, and labour exploitation among other social ills.

She said most of the people engaging in the mining were illegal miners and foreigners without license, adding that this was against the laws of Malawi

“After visiting the site and seriously considering all issues. I order immediate closure of mining activities in Zomba and anyone found doing any mining activity henceforth, will face the wrath of the law,” Chanag’anamuno said.

She added that it was about time to seriously regulate Malawi’s mining industry so that the country benefits from its mineral deposits.

“Mineral exploration is a very serious and sensitive issue that need to be handled with care. As long as I am the minster of mining, I will not accept foreigners siphoning our minerals and no more of illegal mining in Malawi,” the Minister stressed.

Chanag’anamuno has since asked chiefs to be vigilant and patriotic to stop accommodating or shielding foreigners who engage in illegal mining.

Sub Traditional Authority (STA) Idana whose area has been heavily damaged hailed the Minister for ordering closure of gold mine.

The Chief said a lot of immoral activities were happening at the site and that most of people’s land was being damaged due to the mining

“We support the decision and we will make sure that no one is found mining gold until proper procedures have been followed,” she said.

The Traditional Leader said she would encourage her subjects to form cooperatives as proposed by the government and speed up mining registration process.

According to Mining Act, only registered miners are allowed to do mining activities within a specified place.

However, the recent discovery of various mineral deposits has proven shortfalls that require swift action.