By Brighton Chimsinde

Mchinji, February 2, Mana: Community members and leaders in Mchinji District have attributed hunger and poverty as a setback that is impinging survival and sustainability of community forests and other natural resources.

The sentiments came out during the district forestry season launch which was held at Khwawe Primary School in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Simphasi in Mchinji.

Parliamentarian for Mchinji Central Constituency, Jephter Mwale said farmers these days do not produce enough due to unfavorable climate conditions which forces some to enter forests for their survival.

“Majority are experiencing hunger and poverty not because of laziness but because of the poor rains that contributed to poor farm produce in the last farming season. And as a result they are tempted to vandalize community forest and other natural resources for survival," Mwale said.

Mwale then, assured the gathering that he is going to facilitate the sourcing of farm inputs loan from National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) for the farmers to use in the coming irrigation farming season.

A representative of Traditional Authority Simphasi, Maureen Mwaza echoed the sentiments saying the situation was like that because farmer’s farm produce was not enough.

Speaking at the function, Mchinji District Council Chairperson, Dorothy Musa who was also the guest of honour at the function called government, community leaders and Non-Governmental Organizations to take part in the fight against cutting down trees carelessly.

“Considering the benefits of trees, I make a plea to all of you including NGO’s and the public sector to take a role in guarding against the malpractice and lobby for resources to reverse the situation,” Musa said.

Musa asked community leaders to encourage their subjects to start beekeeping in the forests near them and also to plant and care for trees along the river banks.

Malawi’s Vice President, Dr. Michael Usi launched this year’s National Forestry Season on 17 December, 2024 in Chitipa District under the theme, “Restore Forests and Land to Source Food”.