By Vincent Khonje

Mchinji, February 23, Mana: Beneficiaries in the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) in Mchinji are anticipating dual benefits from the programme.

CSEPWP is a component under the Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Programme (SSRLP) which aims at, among others, rehabilitating the degraded environment, strengthening households’ resilience to shocks and increasing household income.

Rhoda Mwerwa, a beneficiary from Luzare Catchment in Traditional Authority (TA) Nyoka, said in an interview that the programme gives hope to communities in two dimensions.

“We have worked on sub-projects that will help recover the environment and help the degraded soil to be like before. This will help us have more crop yield, at the same time we will earn money in form of wages for working in the sub-projects,” said Mwerwa.

She said, from the first phase of the programme, they are seeing significant results in that runoff water from the hills is being controlled and cannot destroy crops anymore.

Another beneficiary from Kamphoro Catchment in TA Kapunula said with the interventions under CSEPWP most farming fields have been saved.

“We have not seen runoff water from the hills destroying the fields because the stone bands and semi-secular bands we have constructed have helped slow down the water. We hope to have enough food for our families,” said Phiri who is part of a savings and loans group formed by CSEPWP beneficiaries.

Desk Officer for Luzare Catchment, Michael Mwenefumbo, said communities have now understood the importance of soil and water conservation.

“They understand that they are not only benefitting the wages but also protecting the environment which in turn has a bearing on their crop production. They have reclaimed gullies, planted trees, made contour ridges and are taking care of natural regenerants and all these have protected their fields,” said Mwenefumbo.

Chief Planning Officer for Mchinji, Martin Pindamkono, said the programme has progressed well in the district.

“Progress on the sub-projects has been good. We intensified supervision just to see that everything was in order,” said Pindamkono.

CSEPWP is funded by the World Bank and the Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund.