By Andrew Phiri

Balaka, January 30, Mana: At least 1.5 million trees are set to be planted in Balaka following the launch of the Tree Planting Season in the district, with a deliberate focus on Fruit Trees.

Balaka District Commissioner, Tamanya Harawa disclosed this on Wednesday at Liwonde Primary School in the area of Sub Traditional Authority Chimatiro when the council launched the Tree Planting Season.

Harawa explained that the council has adopted the 2024/2025 national theme of restoring the forest and land to secure food production hence a large part of fruit trees have been included to help boost the availability of food in the form of fruits in the district.

"Malawi is an agro-based nation and the behaviour of our climate has also a big impact on food production hence we are encouraging the people to take good care of the trees to improve the availability of fruits and rains," he said.

Harawa said the programme will encourage community members to take an active role in order to make sure that there is a high survival rate of trees.

"We have noted that the major challenge in this initiative is taking care of the trees hence we have engaged the community to own the trees," he said.

Project Coordinator for Transforming Landscape and Livelihood, Nyuma Mughogho has commended the initiative, saying it will complement their effort of encouraging people in Balaka to plant trees at the right time.

"Planting trees during the onset of rainy season allows it to establish properly hence having a high survival rate.

"We have been working with communities by teaching them how they should plant their trees, construct fire breaks and also prevent animals such as goats that may destroy the trees," she added.

The Tree Planting Season in the country began on December 15, 2024, and will end on April 15, 2025.