MANAonline
Forests and trees crucial in food production system
By George Bulombola
Chitipa, December 17, Mana: Vice President Dr. Michael Usi has said that trees and forests are pillars upon which food production systems are built.
He was speaking on Tuesday during the launching ceremony of 2024/25 National Tree Planting Season at Lufita Primary School Ground in Chitipa.
Usi said most of the natural disasters which affects the country in various forms emanate from environmental destruction especially through forestry mismanagement.
“Let us internalize forestry management into our culture so that we sustain efforts which are geared at preserving forests through promotion of either tree planting and natural regeneration.
“When the environment which we are destroying starts fighting us, we can fight back. Imagine Cyclone Freddy, which claimed a lot of lives of our loved ones. Such disasters pose a threat to our environment and food production system,” said Usi.
He added that the interplay between healthy forests and food security is a necessity for human survival and prosperity, hence the need to preserve forests.
“Therefore the forestry season is not only a call to action, it is a fundamental necessity for our country as it resonates with our aspirations for a greener future and holds profound significance for our ability to enhance food production,” he added.
Usi said that a thriving agricultural sector depends on health of natural eco-systems as trees enhance soil fertility and improve water retention.
Earlier on during the event, Senior Chief Mwaulambya, advised people across the country to be interested in preserving trees, other than just planting tree seedlings.
“We have been planting tree seedlings for long but we lack interest in caring for them,” said Mwaulambya.
He added that communities within his jurisdiction have agreed to have bylaws, which are aimed at preventing people from destroying forests.
“The bylaws are not there for the sake of their existence, they attract penalties to those who do not abide by them,” he said.
Paramount Chief Kyungu also alluded to the need to preserve trees so that tree-planting seasons are meaningful to the country.
In the 2024/25 National Forestry Season, the country targets to restore about 22,000 hectares of degraded land and forests national wide by planting almost 40 Million tree seedlings, and managing 4,000 hectares of natural regeneration
7 dead, leaving 16 injured by Chido Tropical Storms
BY Paul Madise
Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has disclosed that so far 7,721 households (approximately 34,741 people) have been affected, with a death toil rising from two (as reported in its previous update dated 16th December 2024) to seven; with Salima registering three deaths whereas Kasungu, Machinga, Blantyre and Lilongwe Districts have each recorded one death and 16 injuries in total.
In a statement signed by Charles Kalemba, Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs, DoDMA has highlighted that the development follows fresh preliminary reports the department has received from councils on the damages caused by the moderate Tropical Storm Chido from 15th to 16th December 2024.
According to DoDMA, Balaka, Blantyre District, Blantyre City, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Kasungu, Lilongwe City, Lilongwe District, Machinga, Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Neno, Ntcheu, Phalombe, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba City and Zomba District are among other councils that have experienced mild to severe damages.
“Meanwhile, the department, in collaboration with various humanitarian partners and councils, is facilitating the provision of relief assistance to affected households,” the statement noted.
Additionally, following the declaration by the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services that Moderate Tropical Storm Chido exited the country and posed no further threat, DoDMA has with immediate effect decommissioned all search and rescue (SAR) operations; having earlier deployed SAR teams in areas at risk.
Furthermore, DoDMA has also expressed appreciation to various humanitarian partners, non-governmental organizations, councils, government departments, ministries and agencies; the media and the general public for their vigilance and support towards preparatory and anticipatory actions when the cyclone loomed.
Through the statement, the department has further expressed its commitment to keep the general public well informed on any developments regarding the effects of Chido and any related developments.
Joyous Celebration Mega Concert On
By Yewo Munthali
Lilongwe , December 17 , Mana; Spear-header for the Joyous Celebration Mega Gospel Concert , Psalm Celebrations founder, Godfrey Zulu has described the show as the first of its kind in Malawi .
He made these remarks during a press briefing on Tuesday at the Umodzi Park President Hotel in Lilongwe.
“We are having all 53 members of the choir on stage recording their 28th album live which has never happened before here in Malawi.
“We all know how great this choir is and we are assured they will bring Malawians joy this festive season,” said Zulu.
Zulu further highlighted that the show will be a safe and secure environment to ensure patrons of the event experience it worry free.
“We have hired private security to patrol the car parks and the event as well as made arrangements with health professionals to be present in the event one is to need medical assistance during the festivities,” he explained.
In his remarks Events organizer, Mphatso Kasakasa said the event is evidence that the Malawian Gospel Scene is still alive.
“This is going to be a historic event and we urge Malawians to come in large numbers as tickets are selling quickly. They can be purchased on the Mpamba app, from various churches and here at BICC,” noted Kasakasa.
The Gospel Concert is set for the 20th of December 2024 at the Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) from 5 p.m. The Great Angels Choir and Ndirande Anglican Voices are among those to share the stage with Joyous Celebration.
Chimwendo Calls for an End to Violence and Political Insinuations by Opposition Parties
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, December 17, Mana: The Secretary General of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Richard Chimwendo Banda has called for the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Churches and leaders in the country to join hands to criticize together violence and refrain from retaliating against the actions of the Democratic Progressive party (DPP).
Speaking during a press briefing On Tuesday at the MCP Headquarters, Chimwendo emphasized the party's commitment to peace over violence.
"The message is condemning violence but also pointing out the lapses we are seeing with the leadership of DDP in failing to control their members, because this is now more or less like a policy in DPP to perpetuate violence and clearly targeting the Malawi Congress party," he said.
He emphasized that the DPP, as a party, must go back to the drawing board, as violence will neither help them nor bring them back to power.
WESM calls for strategic messages to promote tourism activities
By Damiano Thengo
Nkhotakota, December 17, Mana: Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM) has called on media institutions and other stakeholders in Nkhotakota to spread effective and strategic messages that will assist to promote tourism activities across the district.
Speaking during a learning visit to appreciate Chia Lagoon Community Waterbird project at Traditional Authority Kalimanjira in the district on Monday, WESM Programmes Manager, Blessings Chingagwe said the project is improving the livelihoods of communities surrounding Chia Lagoon ranging from getting food, and money among other resources besides assisting in conserving wildlife like birds and fish.
Chingagwe asked the media and other partners like private companies to take a leading role in promoting tourism that can help the country get foreign currencies from guests who patronize.
"Media is very important to us as it promotes eco-tourism. So as we work with lodges and hotels in Nkhotakota, we encourage media to spread the messages that promote eco-tourism in the district," said Chingagwe.
Nkhotakota District Environmental Officer, Jane Kaira has hailed the relationship, which is there between WESM and communities surrounding Chia Lagoon saying this has helped to ease the work of conserving the environment in the district.
Meanwhile, Traditional Authority Kalimanjira of the district has commended WESM for implementing Chia Lagoon Community Waterbird project in his area saying the initiative has assisted to restore some of the endangered wildlife as compared to how the situation was in the past.
He asked organizations that are working to conserve wildlife to also consider improving the welfare of communities surrounding their catchment areas by providing them with loans to buy farm inputs saying this can help to reduce challenges of environmental destruction.
Solidaridad for enhanced cotton production
By Patricia Kapulula
Lilongwe, December 16, Mana: Solidaridad, an international civil society organization that works on developing solutions to make communities more resilient, has emphasized on the need for cotton farmers to use certified seeds in order for them to harvest more thereby improving their livelihoods through sales.
Recently, a Solidaridad supervisory board visited Malawi to learn some of the works the country is doing.
Solidaridad Global Executive Director, Andre de Freitas, hailed Malawi for its efforts in in innovation despite challenges farmers face.
He said the board discussed a global strategy for the next five years that would see farmers benefit in production and value chain.
“We talked to different actors in value chain to change supply chain to the benefit of farmers,” he said.
As one way of addressing availability of certified seed for farmers, de Freitas said they are assisting farmers by multiplying seed so that they have access and improve on production.
“What we have done is to have 160 tonnes of seed that is enough to support 50,000 farmers. With good seed they will be able to get better production and good income,” he said.
Solidaridad Malawi Projects Officer, Given Phiri, expressed concern that in Malawi cotton history is going down.
He said in recent years cotton production in Malawi has declined from 100, 000 to 10, 000 metric tonnes.
“This shows that we are not progressing in as far as cotton production is concerned. For us to realize profits in cotton, we are into collaborations with different stakeholders who can assist us to improve production,” he said.
Phiri cited the stakeholders as the Cotton Council of Malawi, Makoka Research Station.
Solidaridad Malawi has entered into an agreement with the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) to help in research for the country to have good variety that can make farmers harvest more.
“We want to reach out to about 20,000 farmers in cotton farming and for tea we want to reach out to not less that 20,000 farmers. We have reached out to soy bean farmers who are not less that 15,000. We want to see farmers harvesting more by assisting them have certified seed as most of them use recycled seed which lead them to harvesting less,” Phiri said.
Solidaridad operates across continents to support small-scale farmers, workers and miners while addressing global supply chain challenges. In Africa, it implements on the ground projects to foster sustainability.
Farmers urged to embrace value addition
By Leah Malimbasa
Chikwawa, December 17, Mana: Minister of Trade, Sosten Gwengwe has urged farmers under the Shire Valley Transformation Programme (SVTP) to prioritize value addition to their agricultural products to increase profitability and empower themselves economically through exports.
Speaking during an interaction with farmers on Monday, Gwengwe noted the potential for local farmers to compete internationally by processing their produce.
“We should only import things we cannot produce locally. Products like peanut butter, for instance, can easily be made here with the right expertise and machinery. Our farmers can and should take advantage of these opportunities,” said Gwengwe.
According to Agriculture Commercialization Specialist, Adrian Masebo, the initiative aimed at transforming farming practices through irrigation and commercialization.
“For construction, we have completed 36.5 kilometers of the planned 52 kilometers of the main canal, translating to 70% progress. The overall goal is to irrigate 43,370 hectares of land, with 10,656 hectares designated for the 13 cooperatives in Phase 1. By June 2025, three cooperatives are expected to start utilizing water from the canal,” Masebo said.
The programme has also established 15 cooperatives, 13 focused on crop production and two on livestock comprising 16,175 members. These cooperatives are registered with the Ministry of Trade.
Chairperson for Mwanaalirenji Cooperative, Robert Makion expressed optimism about the programme’s potential to transform the livelihoods of farmers.
“We are banking our hope on the SVTP to develop economically. We have received training on value addition and in the future, we plan to start processing our produce to fetch higher prices as advised by the minister,” said Makion.
Once fully operational, the SVTP is expected to benefit 48,400 farming households, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and enabling farmers to access lucrative markets.
DFS awareness campaign promises good results in Mulanje
By Innocent Chamtulo
Mulanje, December 17, Mana: Team Leader for Digital Financial Services awareness raising campaign for Mulanje District, Rita Phiri has expressed satisfaction with the overwhelming response they are receiving from the areas they have reached out to so far, saying people are eager to know more about the use of digital financing and platforms.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Monday, Phiri said since the beginning of the awareness campaign, they have reached out to almost all market centres in Mulanje including hard-to-reach areas.
Phiri added that people are appreciating the initiative by the government, noting that this will enhance their businesses.
“We are certain that we have reached the objectives and project goals because we have reached to the targeted population which the project designed. For example, we have interacted with the elderly, business persons, the youth, women and village group savings and loan groups.
“Therefore, from all the mentioned categories the response and interaction was so good to us which is a success,” she said.
On the other hand. Community Development Assistant for Traditional Authority Chikumbu, Chancy Masubi, commended the initiative, as it will promote accountability and transparency to people who are involved in village bank groups, as they will be keeping their money in mobile phones or banks.
“With what we have learned through digital finance awareness campaign, it will add more advantages to those people who are involved in village savings and loan groups because there will be transparency and accountability on how the money is being managed since all members will be connected to that account.
“Any transactions made will be known to the members than the old system,” he added.
The campaign is being championed by the Ministry of Finance and the Reserve Bank of Malawi to promote digital finance platforms to reduce the cost of replacing damaged bank notes.
Salima district commissioner lauds smooth maize distribution
By Aisha Chiwaya
Salima, December 16. Mana: Salima District Commissioner James Mwenda has expressed satisfaction with maize distribution exercise currently underway in the district.
Mwenda made the remarks on Monday when he supervised some of the distribution centres in the district.
"As a council, we anticipated queries but so far the activity has not received many challenges as initially anticipated. We are warning the beneficiaries and the vendors not to trade the maize in order for the activity to achieve its intended purpose." he said.
He said anyone found selling distributed maize will be arrested saying the purpose is for people to have food after being affected by dry spells.
A beneficiary from Group Mtande, Aniya Kambulire, deemed the programme timely.
Kambulire also concurred with the district commissioner that selling the received maize will be detrimental.
“Lack of food remains a big challenge for people like us who live in rural areas in as far as having basic needs is concern. Therefore, selling the maize will only show that we are ungrateful people”.
Malawi government is implementing maize distribution through the Department of Disaster Management in all the districts of Malawi.
At least 37,753 households are expected to benefit from the programme for four months in Salima district.
Machinjiri Couple denied bail
By Milcah Mathias
Blantyre, December 16, Mana: Blantyre Central Senior Resident Magistrate, Euphrasia Nazombe Moyo has denied bail application to a 38-year-old Linda Chitala and her 48-year-old husband, McPherson Chitala.
The two are being accused of acts intended to cause bodily harm under Section 235 (a) of the Penal Code and the case has been adjourned to January 9, 2025 for further hearing.
In defence of the bail application made by the accused family, the state said that the two should not be given bail as they are staying together as a family; hence, they will be able to manipulate evidence before the court.
The state added that the child is not feeling well and is psychologically affected adding it is also in the interest of their security not to be given bail as they can be harmed by the angry mob.
Linda Chitala is being accused of abusing and harming her four-year-old stepdaughter, Tamandani Chitala while Macpherson Chitala has been accused of watching his four-year-old daughter being abused by his wife without taking any action.
Josephine Mitengo Gwaza from the office of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) said the state is amending the charge sheet to include the second suspect, McPherson Chitala in the case.
Gwaza who is also the Director of Criminal Litigation from the office of the DPP requested the court for an extension of 10 more days.
“We are just wrapping up with the investigation. We had an outstanding medical report from Radiology from Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) which is expected in a few days’ time, once we receive the report then we are good to go and we will be able to proceed,” said Gwaza.
Police arrested the woman after neighbours living next to the family in Machinjiri tipped them about the abuse the child was subjected to.
