MANAonline
Addressing degraded environment in Mchinji
By Winfrida Kamwana
Mchinji, March 12, Mana: It is no secret that over the years Malawi has been affected negatively by climate change.
The country has witnessed climate that has been highly variable and weather that is very unpredictable.
Droughts and floods have been considered to be a norm appearing almost every year taking the country a few steps back in its economic and developmental growth.
In an era where climate change has brought great mischief among communities in Malawi, different views and actions have been explored to capitulate and resolve such problems.
Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP), a component under Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Programme (SSRLP), has been one benchmark in the process of addressing climate change.
Andsen Mvula, chairperson for the Nathyola Catchment Area in Chamveka Village under Traditional Authority (TA) Mlonyeni in Mchinji has hailed CSEPWP for its ability to help communities reclaim the land they lost due to surface run-off.
Through gully reclamation by creating check dams, people in Nathyola have managed to restore degraded land and are able to cultivate on some parts of the land they thought they will never use again.
“Some parts of the land had eroded due to heavy rainfall and since the land was bare as a result of cutting trees to make charcoal, we had problems in cultivating crops on such areas,” explained Mvula.
The focus of CSEPWP is to enhance land resource conservation, afforestation, natural regeneration, and sustainable livelihoods in order to bring resilience to communities’ prone to climate-related shocks and stresses, such as floods, droughts, and extreme weather events.
This is why communities are introduced to ways that can help deal with these climates related shocks.
According to Mvula, Nathyola Catchment Area has not only reclaimed land through check dams in the gullies and planting of bananas in the gullies but the beneficiaries have also been able to dig more than 300 infiltration pits around the Kalenga Matenda Hill to stop water runoff.
This is to help in holding water and preventing it from running down the hill into people’s houses and farms with much force.
Concurring with Mvula, foreman for Kachinga natural regeneration under Luzare Catchment Area in TA Nyoka, Joseph Frederick Phiri stated that afforestation is one major key to bringing back the nature the communities lost.
He explained that not only has the catchment area been able to plant more trees in Kachinga Mountain but they have also made half-moons bunds and planted vetiver grass to control water runoff from the mountain down to the community and the streams.
“People living in this area especially those at the foot of the mountain had challenges during the rainy season because sometimes the water would run down the hill into their houses. Making half-moons or semi secular bunds in the mountain has helped in addressing such problems” said Phiri.
Under CSEPWP, Mchinji district has 20 catchment areas where the climate smart beneficiaries are working on various water and soil conservation initiatives.
Some of the initiatives include caring for natural regeneration, tree planting, gully reclamation, river banks protection, and making contour marker ridges, which in a way brings about a sense of ownership to them since they are working in their own localities.
“The idea of CSEPWP is to equip people with the knowledge of taking care of the environment. We are encouraging ownership and durable and quality structures,” explained Land Resource Conservation Officer Rhoda Njikho.
Njikho highlighted that CSEPWP has helped communities such as Chamveka in reducing natural degradation by increasing infiltration rate and reducing surface run off but at the same time bringing the communities together to work with one mind and one goal.
Climate smart technologies and practices have presented opportunities for addressing climate change challenges as well as for economic growth and development of the agriculture sector.
Recognizing that the economy is tight in this era, the participants of are given an amount of K28 800 as wages at the end of the 24 days’ cycle that they complete the work.
The beneficiaries of CSEPWP were linked to Community Savings and Investments Cooperative Promotion (COMSIP) to instill the culture of savings and investment among the project participants and to increase household incomes and productive assets through diversified investments.
Michael Ziyalula, chairperson for Tikondane COMSIP club in Chamveka Village said being part of the club has aided him become more efficient when it comes to earning money to sustain his family.
“Joining the club has made it easier for me to access loans which I use to buy fertilizer and other needed farm inputs in order to grow my farming business. I have also been able to sustain my household with important stocks and other needs,” said Ziyalula.
Ziyalula said that before the project, it was not an easy task to fend for himself or to be able to buy farm inputs which was frustrating because farming is the only means he uses to sustain himself and his family.
“With the rise in the prices of fertilizer and other farm inputs, it was hard for me to buy the needed inputs. Sometimes I would manage to buy half of what was needed and sometimes I would just let it go because there was no money and no means to earn as much and be able to acquire the needed inputs,” explained Ziyalula.
Alice Joseph Lazaro from Kachinga Village under TA Nyoka is also another participant of CSEPWP working in Luzale Catchment Area and like many beneficiaries she was facing financial challenges to sustain her household and buy needed inputs for her farm.
After working in various projects under the programme, she was able to buy a goat which has now multiplied and is making it easier to access manure for her farm produce.
“The programme has opened doors for me to be able to provide for myself and my family. Working on various projects under the programme I managed to save up some money and later on bought a goat which is now making it easier for me to access manure,” Alice explained.
She further appreciated government for introducing the project to vulnerable communities saying this is not just keeping nature intact and safe but it is also enhancing lives of people in those communities.
In Mchinji there are 20 catchment areas with 19,362 beneficiaries and in the next cycle an additional 3,783 beneficiaries will be added.
CSEPWP will also contribute 140,000 trees to this year’s district target of trees planted which is 3 million trees.
The programme is being implemented through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) and funded by the World Bank and the Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
Conservation efforts show promise in Mchinji district
By Monica Banda
Mchinji, March 12, Mana: The Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) District Project Facilitator for Mchinji, Thandie Sukali, has expressed satisfaction with the community's efforts in conserving degraded land in their catchment areas.
In an interview with MANA on Monday, Sukali commended catchment members for their diligent work in implementing conservation measures under the public works programme during a media tour to some of the catchments.
"I have witnessed the dedication of the participants in constructing structures like contour bands, and semi secular bands which will effectively reduce soil erosion and soil degradation in the catchments areas,” said Sukali.
She highlighted the significance of implementing measures to mitigate water runoff, which often leads to soil erosion and the loss of fertile soils.
Yohane Nyirenda, Chairperson of Kamphoro catchment area in Traditional Authority (TA) Kapunula, echoed Sukali's sentiments, emphasising the positive impact of constructing structures like contour ridges, check dams, and half-moons in preventing soil erosion.
"These measures help to retain water in the soil by enhancing infiltration and also safeguards our crops from being washed away as the speed of water is reduced,” Nyirenda explained.
The participants in the programme are given K28,800 as wages at the end of the 24-day cycle.
Diveliyasi Phiri, another member of the catchment, attested to the transformative impact of the programme on her community.
"The income from the programme has also enabled us to establish village banks and loans, facilitating access to essential resources such as fertilizer and education for our children."
Phiri expressed gratitude to the government for implementing the programme and emphasized the newfound awareness of environmental conservation within the community.
"Previously, environmental degradation was rampant, but now, with the CSEPWP, we are committed to conserving our environment and ensuring sustainable livelihoods," Phiri remarked.
CSEPWP aims at improving the quality of life in targeted communities, and has already targeted over 19,362 individuals, providing essential income and fostering environmental stewardship.
The government programme is a component of Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Programme (SSRLP) funded by the World Bank and Social Protection Multi Donor Trust Fund.
Blantyre District Commissioner signs MOU with partners
By Petro Mkandawire
Blantyre, March 12, Mana: Blantyre District Council has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with development partners that implement various projects in the district to ensure proper service delivery to the rural communities.
Blantyre District Commissioner, Alex Mdooko urged the development partners to come up with interventions that will complement the council’s efforts in dealing with illiteracy levels, poverty and other social challenges that compromises livelihood.
The DC made the call on Monday at Blantyre District Council chamber during the District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting where the council also signed the MOU.
He observed many climate change effects that brought about disasters and other livelihood challenges require proper collaboration and development partner’s interventions.
“Be flexible in intervening in the current dry spell situation, farming families are desperate and looking for various interventions from both the council and non-state actors that should solve their food and basic needs for survival,” he said
He said the council will welcome strategies from partners to address issues ranging from illiteracy, disease prevention to climate change induced situations such as prolonged dry spells currently affecting food crop production among farming families in the district.
“We should come up with projects that will help to alleviate problems people are going through. We should fight low literacy levels in our district since the percentage of problems are as a result of illiteracy,’ added Mdooko.
Executive Director for Tsogolo la Ana, Lucy Maunde said signing of MOU with the council provides full mandate and commitments towards the development of the district.
She said Tsogolo la Ana was ready and willing to work with the council in addressing challenges that the communities are experiencing.
“We will work together with much effort to improve communities’ living standards. We are ready to move forward and respond to climate change effects as well as different situations that affect the district.
To deal with illiteracy levels, she added that Tsogolo la Ana will provide desks, staffroom chairs, and books as a way of improving child education on top of constructing primary schools in Blantyre rural.
Some of the development partners that attended the DEC meeting and witnessed the MOU signing included Kachere Progressive Women, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), Tsogolo la Ana, One Acre Fund, Macro Impact and other government sectors.
Collaboration key to restore Kuti Wildlife Reserve
By Lekereni Chinkhota
Salima, March 11, Mana: As one way of conserving the environment and protecting natural resources at Kuti Wildlife Reserve in Salima District, Assemblies of God Care has underscored the importance of stakeholders and community members to collaborate in implementing interventions.
Speaking during an interface meeting that took place over the weekend at Kuti Wildlife Reserve, Assemblies of God Care Programs Manager Davis Mtoseni said the meeting was organized to address the chaos that Kuti management has been having with the surrounding communities that led to rampant deforestation.
“As Assemblies of God Care, we are satisfied and thankful that the meeting has been fruitful. The resolutions made have impacted us as an organization because we want the relationship between communities around and Kuti management to be stronger.
“The meeting has come on time to calm down the chaos that has been between human and wildlife situation over the years, and the resolutions made will help us to move forward,” he said.
Mtoseni further said their goal is to conserve and protect what is available and restore what has been lost, citing that natural resources help people achieve various interventions easily.
Concurring with Mtoseni, Acting Director of Natural Resources and Environment, Adam Jason, said it is important to take care of the wildlife reserve which has benefits to present and future generations.
“This meeting is a very beneficial one because it will help us conserve what is left in our wildlife reserve as we know that Kuti is under threat of extinction because people are cutting down trees illegally and without following any procedure,” he said.
In his remarks, Senior Chief Kalonga expressed joy that his communities have been welcomed again in the reserve and he promised to work together with the Kuti management.
“We reviewed the situation of Kuti to prevent the continuation of the careless cutting down of trees in the reserve. The problem arose when the Kuti management did not want us to participate in the activities that they were doing.
“The eviction of the chiefs that happened opened doors for people to start destroying the reserve. But as of today, with the new management in place, we are sure that our involvement will restore the glory that we have lost in the past years,” he said.
Kuti Wildlife Reserve Manager Allan Ellof said the reserve offers tourism attraction, adding that, going forward, he will be involving the surrounding communities to work hand in hand with them to prevent future chaos.
“We will talk directly to the people in the communities not using intermediaries because we believe communication is the strong driver to make us work with each other. We want to have a fruitful relationship with the communities by providing them with new forms of energy,” he said.
The meeting accommodated all stakeholders responsible for facilitating the conservation agenda of the wildlife reserve, which is experiencing rampant deforestation.
Assemblies of God Care, through the Malawi Conserve Project, which is being implemented around the wildlife reserve, sponsored the meeting.
Farm mechanization key in eradicating hunger - Chakwera
By George Mponda
Karonga, March 11, Mana: President Lazarus Chakwera has said farm mechanization is one of the key interventions his government is promoting in eradicating hunger in the country.
Addressing a gathering of people at Wovwe Irrigation Scheme in Karonga on Monday, Chakwera said the use of modernized farming methods, like what is being applied at the scheme, leads to realization of high and bumper yield with limited investment.
“Wovwe Irrigation Scheme has been rehabilitated and the use of mechanized farming methods will speed up and lessen use of human physical power, thereby realizing increased yield.
“This scheme and other projects taking shape here portray the type of development we need as a country. It is good to see that people from all over Malawi have been involved in this scheme for a very long time. Such approaches will contribute to the achievement of Malawi 2063,” said Chakwera.
In his remarks, Senior Chief Mwirang'ombe hailed the President for initiating various development projects in Karonga District.
The 700-hectare Wovwe Irrigation Scheme was established in 1969 and currently has 1,777 beneficiaries.
It has an estimated seasonal yield of 3,350 metric tonnes of rice with an estimated value of K3.7 billion.
The scheme has been rehabilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture under the Programme for Rural Irrigation Development to enable it become one of the prominent and proactive mega farms in Malawi.
Chakwera tours Nthola-Illola Rice Processing Plant
By Tawonga Moyo
Karonga, March 11, Mana: President Lazarus Chakwera on Monday visited Nthola-Illola Rice Processing Plant in Karonga to appreciate the factory’s contribution to value addition chain in rice production and marketing.
Upon arrival at the plant, Chakwera was taken inside the factory where he was showed different rice processing stages.
The President also interacted with rice farmers who are beneficiaries of Nthola-Illola Irrigation Scheme, which is under GreenBelt Authority (GBA).
GBA Chief Executive Officer Eric Chidzungu said besides the establishment of the plant, the facility motivates farmers to produce high quality rice.
"This plant which will be producing 50 tons of rice per day is crucial in ensuring that our rice is of great quality, starting from the field up to processing which include value addition for farmers to maximize their gains," said Chidzungu.
Chidzungu then expressed gratitude to government for ensuring that the project is supported through the provision of financial resources.
In her remarks, Chairperson for Nthola-Illola Cooperative Scheme, Mbachi Nyasulu, said the processing plant will greatly improve rice business.
"On behalf of my fellow women here at Nthola-Illola, I express my gratitude to government for this factory, which is the first of its kind in the northern region," said Nyasulu.
Sub Traditional Authority Mwangolera said Karonga is a district which greatly depends on rice for food and economic development, hence the initiative will go a long way in improving lives of people in the district.
NGO donates K1 billion drugs to Kasungu DHO
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, March 11, Mana: Good Neighbors Malawi has donated assorted drugs worth K1 billion to Kasungu District Health Office (DHO) to help fight health emergencies in the district.
Receiving the donation on Monday, Minister of Health Khumbize Chiponda said the medicines have come at the right time when the country is fighting several diseases on various fronts, including the recent outbreak of pink eye.
“This is a well thought donation. As government, we are very thankful to Good Neighbors because this is a big donation and the drugs are those that we commonly used to treat various ailments.
“We also applaud the NGO for giving us good drugs with long shelf-life, unlike some organizations who are fond of donating medicines that are close to expiring.
“Government is not a dumping site and we appeal to all other organizations to emulate what Good Neighbors Malawi has done,” Chiponda said.
She then warned health workers against selling the drugs, advising the workers to ensure that even the facilities located in far rural areas benefit from the consignment.
Good Neighbors Malawi Country Director Gyo Jin Joo said the donation is one of the many health sector interventions the NGO has been conducting since 2008 when it began its operations in the country.
She said: “Through our integrated approach to development, we have in the past provided medical equipment, supported the campaign against cholera and Covid 19 and built hospitals.
“We requested for a list of drugs that Malawi needs and this is what we have donated today. And as we make this donation, let me say that we will continue to do this so that we contribute significantly towards reducing diseases in the country.”
According to Jin Joo, the drugs were sourced from Good Neighbors USA for the Ministry of Health, specifically Kasungu District Hospital and other facilities within the district.
While thanking the NGO for the donation, Senior Chief Kaomba appealed to traditional leaders in the district to lead in promoting health and hygiene in their localities in order to prevent the many ailments that have affected the country.
Among others, the donated drugs include anti-fungals, antiparasitic, antihypertensives, antacids and anti-infectives, such as amoxicillin, metronizadole, albendazole, captopril and others.
Apart from health sector interventions, Good Neighbors Malawi also provides individual sponsorship to school children, drills boreholes to contribute towards water, sanitation and hygiene and carries out other livelihood interventions.
Nthemba CCAP bids farewell to Rev Maganga
By Evance Chisiano
Blantyre, March 11, Mana: Nthemba Church of Central Africa Presbeterian (CCAP) of the Blantyre Synod in Limbe on Sunday bade farewell to Rev. Collins Maganga, aka Uncle C, who is heading to Mulanje to minister at Chitakale CCAP.
Rev. Maganga said Blantyre Synod posted him to Nthemba CCAP congregation and it was the same synod that decided to post him to Mulanje.
“Don’t cry for me. An actor always survives,” he said as he bade farewell to the congregation which he described as most caring and accommodative.
According to church administration, Maganga, who was ordained in 2006 as church minister in Blantyre Synod, arrived at Nthemba CCAP on February 11, 2022 and served the congregation with dedication and devotion.
“Don’t count my shortfalls rather dwell on my strength,” he said and further called on the congregation to continue standing strong in faith amidst challenges.
Rev. Maganga who is fondly called Uncle C by mostly the youth appealed to Nthemba congregation to warmly receive the incoming moderator to ably minister the word of God.
The youth carried the day with dancing and at a certain point they carried Maganga on their shoulders as they chant ‘Uncle C we will miss you.’
Several congregations sent their representatives to Nthemba church to bid Rev. Maganga farewell and among the representatives was former Blantyre Synod General Secretary, Rev. Alex Maulana who led Mount Pleasant delegation.
Rev. Maganga served Machinga, Domasi and Mlombwa CCAP congregations before his posting to Nthemba in 2022.
Rev. Justin Mwachumu who led the farewell service called on Nthemba congregation to welcome the new moderator that will come to serve the congregation in the same way they welcomed the outgoing moderator.
He commended the congregation for being supportive to all moderators that served the church in the present and past.
“Let’s make Limbe Presbytery a good place to stay,” he said.
Recently St Columba CCAP congregation also bade farewell to associate church minister, Rev. Justin Mwachumu who has gone to Blantyre Synod offices after serving from 2018 to 2024 at St. Columba.
Nkhotakota district council echoes help
By Wongani Mkandawire
Nkhotakota, March 11, Mana: Nkhotakota District Council has called for help towards survivors of the recent flash floods that hit the district in the past weeks killing six and displacing over 14,000 people.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA), Acting Disaster Risk Management Officer for Nkhotakota District Council, George Zibophe, said the Council is waiting for the inter-agency assessment report which was carried out last week to provide the final status in terms of impacts and needs.
Zibophe said people in camps still need continued help to ease their stay in the camps.
“Efforts to provide assistance to the affected population in camps are ongoing as there are a lot of pressing needs,” said Zibophe.
He appealed for assistance with urgent needs for maize flour, relish, sugar, cooking oil, shelter materials like family tents, plastic sheets, hygiene items like soap and reusable sanitary pads amongst others.
The district has so far set up 12 camps in various areas of traditional authorities Mphonde, Malengachanzi and Kanyenda in Dwangwa area which was hit the hardest by the floods.
In the past weeks, government and various development partners such as Red Cross, Embassy of Iceland, Umunthu plus, members of parliament and private citizens have sent different types of assistance to the affected people.
A preliminary report from the Council indicated that a total of 9,378 people were sheltered in the camps with 4,121 males and 5,257 females and 1,972 under five children.
HE arrives in Karonga
By Tawonga Moyo
Karonga, March 11, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera and First Lady Madame Monica Chakwera on Monday morning arrived in Karonga through Karonga Airport ahead of the official assignments in the district.
Upon arrival, the President was welcomed by Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale, Minister of Water and Sanitation Abida Mia, Minister of Defence, Harry Mkandawire, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Regional Chairperson for the North, Kezzie Msukwa, MCP Vice President for the North, Harry Mkandawire and Senior Chief Kalonga among other officials.
Chakwera will first pay a courtesy visit to Paramount Chief Kyungu of Karonga and Chitipa Districts before proceeding to Kambwe Noil to distribute relief items to flood survivors from the district's five camps.
The affected people had their houses and properties destroyed following the overflowing of North Rikuru River two weeks ago.
The President will then proceed to visit Karonga Town Water Supply Project, under construction, and Nthola-Ilola Rice Milling and processing plant.
He is also expected to visit Wovwe Rice Irrigation Scheme in Karonga South.
