By Vincent Khonje

Mchinji, November 26, Mana: Group Village Head (GVH) Chimtazi from Traditional Authority (TA) Nyoka in Mchinji is a witness to the changes that the environment has taken in his area.

The traditional leader said the forest that cover the area once and was enjoyed is gone, a thing that has led to degraded soils.

He said Mchinji used to be known as a food basket feeding other districts but now that narrative is slowly going away.

“We used to have natural forests, and our hills used to be fully covered with various natural trees. We enjoyed natural fruits and our crop’s fields were protected,” said GVH Chimtazi.

GVH Chimtazi now narrates a sad tale of the transformation that has taken place in his area.

He said communities in his area are struggling with diminishing crop yields and natural resources as a result of deforestation, soil erosion, and unpredictable rainfall.

In Mzenga Village, in the area of TA Kapunula in the district, communities have abandoned a large area of farm fields because water from nearby Malendo Hill used to wash away all the crops in their fields.

Deep gullies define the land and a large extent are bare, with a few small trees growing here and there.

Dorothy Phiri one of the smallholder farmers from the area said the abandoned land has caused many problems as people have sought solace from other hills for cultivation.

“Abandoning the land which is at the foot of Malendo Hill means people looking for land somewhere else. People are now encroaching on other hills as they have not learnt the lesson of soil degradation,” said Phiri.

However, despite all this, smallholder farmers in the areas believe that the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) which was introduced in the local councils, will be a lifeline because it has assisted communities in developing water and soil conservation measures.

Through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC), the Malawi government is carrying out the programme, which is a part of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Programme (SSRLP Tidzidalire).

The World Bank and the Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund are providing support for the program.

James Phiri who is a participant from Katungulu Micro catchment in TA Nyoka said the interventions that have been introduced by CSEPWP have the potential of healing the land that is now not producing as it used to be.

Phiri said the programme has seen communities working on making structures that control soil degradation in the area thereby protecting fields downhill.

“The interventions that the programme has brought have made sure that we start with taking care of the hills by caring for the trees and then make structures that control water runoff to allow the water to settle.

“The water then easily infiltrates into the ground which improves the water table and provides the much-needed moisture to the crops downhill,” said Phiri.

Apart from caring for natural regenerating trees the structures that participants at Katungulu Micro catchment have made include infiltration pits and swales. They have also established nurseries where they are raising seedlings to plant trees in all bare lands.

At Kamphoro Micro catchment which also encompasses Mzenga Village in TA Kapunula, communities under CSEPWP have come up with soil and water conservation structures just like in Katungulu catchment.

Catchment Management Committee (CMC) Chairperson, Paul Mwanza said with a large area abandoned by the communities they are hopeful that the land can be reclaimed.

“We have Malendo Hill which brings down a lot of water at a high speed so we thought of checking the water by putting down proper structures. We have a stone bund and swales around the hill which we feel will reduce the water runoff and afford the communities to continue using the land they abandoned,” said Mwanza.

The programme has repaired deteriorated landscapes and sparked a shift in perspective through creative initiatives including afforestation, natural regeneration, and soil and water conservation.

Aware of the long-term advantages for their livelihoods and ecology, the villagers who once felled trees for survival now plant and care for them.

Desk officer for CSEPWP in Mchinji, Rhoda Njikho said considering that Mchinji is engaged in extensive agricultural activities there is need to conserve the environment.

Njikho said Mchinji is filled with smallholder farmers growing maize, groundnuts, soybeans, beans, and some even tobacco.

“The interventions have been welcomed by the communities because they understand the value of restoring the environment. The communities wholeheartedly work in the sub-projects like soil and water conservation, nursery establishment and forest management, and river bank protection,” said Njikho.

With 25 micro catchments and over 27, 000 participants in Mchinji, there is hope that communities will drive the process of repairing their land.

GVH Chimtazi whose area is covered by Katungulu Catchment testifies that he is sure that there will be fruits from the interventions.

“For the short period we have cared for the trees in Kalibenjere Hill we have seen that the environment is coming back in its place. We will plant more trees in the bare lands and continue with other interventions. Salvation is around the corner through this programme,” said the chief.

The conservation of the land and replenishing the environment is one side of the coin in the programme, as the communities restore the land the consumption element of the programme provides wages which people use in their households.

The programme is giving hope of healing Mchinji’s wounds caused by land degradation.