By Bishop Witmos

Mangochi, March 27, Mana: District Council officials from Chikwawa and Neno visited Mangochi to learn more about community-led land restoration efforts under the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-PWP), aimed at addressing the devastating effects of climate change.

During the two-day learning visit, organized by the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC), the officials toured Malekano and Namangandwe catchments in Traditional Authority Jalasi's area. There, they observed communities constructing climate-resilient assets such as stone bunds, swales, and deep trenches.

The visitors also appreciated tree regeneration that ensures vegetative cover in an effort to minimise water run-offs, retain water and also mitigate soil erosion.     

Speaking at the conclusion of the tour on Wednesday, Neno District’s Director of Agriculture Services, Upe Museko, said the visit to Mangochi provided a valuable opportunity for officials to witness the positive impact of community-led initiatives. He added that the visit also allowed the teams to identify strategies that could be replicated in their respective districts.

“From what we have seen in the field, it has shown that farmers in Mangochi have really taken ownership of the conservational structures they are constructing. They seem to know relevance of such structures in addressing disasters such as floods.

 “Through this visit, we have also learnt on what Mangochi is doing to address challenges such as mobility, coordination, as well as resources. We hope to improve on the same in our respective districts,” said Museko.

Mangochi District Council is implementing the CS-PWP in 22 catchments, with financial support from the World Bank, through NLGFC, in order to conserve environment and improve on food production through climate smart agriculture.

According to Malekano Catchment Chairperson, Noxy Chatha, communities in the area have already begun experiencing the positive impacts of the CS-EPWP through the assets they are creating in hotspot areas.

“After creating assets, we have seen communities returning to their old fields, where in the past they could not cultivate due to water run-off. We have seen others harvesting bumper yields,” added Chatha.

In his remarks, Acting District Commissioner (DC) for Mangochi, Davie Chigwenembe, commended NLGFC for the learning visit, saying such visits provide officials opportunities to share experiences as well as ideas for the progress of CS-EPWP.