By Wongani Mkandawire

Nkhotakota, February 6, Mana: District Commissioner (DC) for Nkhotakota, Ben Matengeni Tonho, says his office will intensity technical support towards the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP), to ensure the smooth implementation and fruitful outcomes of the programme in the district.

Speaking on Wednesday during a supervision tour of Dema and Bua catchment areas in Senior Chief Kanyenda and Mphonde respectively, Tohno said the programme requires expert and intensive technical support in order for it to bear fruitful and benefit the communities.

He encouraged Beneficiaries to continue the good practice of saving and reinvesting their earnings reminding them that time will come when the programme will end and families will be expected to be self-reliant with good agricultural practices to sustain their food as well as trees and forests to sustain their environment.

Romia Tembo, a beneficiary from Dema Catchment was grateful to the District Commissioner visiting their areas saying she hoped that the DC would help address the issue of possible wage increment from the K48, 000 per month stating issues of devaluation of the Malawian Kwacha, which has significantly increased the cost of living in the country.

She assured the DC that many communities have now adopted the climate-smart agriculture methods and they are hopeful of bumper harvests should the rains continue to fall in their favour.

The programme is in its third cycle in the district and is funded through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC).