By Margret Praise Kalua

Nkhata Bay, September 15, Mana: Communities in the area of Sub Traditional Authority (STA) Thula in Nkhata Bay have applauded government for implementing interventions aimed at promoting sustainable use of the environment.

Speaking in Nkhata Bay on Thursday during the launch of 2023 Integrated Catchment Management Campaign at Kavuzi Extension Planning Area (EPA), Chief Chinoko described the approach as life changing.

“There was a big knowledge gap among farmers on ways of conserving soil and water. Land was degraded due to deforestation which resulted into low yield to famers but this is no longer the case,” Chinoko said.

He said many farmers have learned how to conserve soil and water through afforestation and other new ways of farming which has reduced the cost of farming through use of locally available resources such as manure.

He therefore urged farmers to make use of the new ways of farming to keep on harvesting bumper yields.

Vice Chairperson of agriculture service committee in the district, Councilor Patrick Manda hailed the Integrated Catchment Management Campaign, saying it is a way of preventing natural disasters such as floods.

Director of Agriculture, Environment and Natural resources, Raphael Mkisi assured farmers in the district of continued government support through the council so that soil and water in the district is conserved.

"The government is ready to support the farmers, because if we can not conserve our soils and water then social and economic development of the country will not be achieved," he said.

Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources is implementing the Integrated Catchment Management approach aimed at, among others, promoting sustainable use of land and water resources.  

Mana/mpk/ck/sbn