Communities hail resilient project

People around Sungusya and Ninje forest reserves in traditional authorities (T/As) Chowe and Jalasi in Mangochi have said they will implement activities to build their resilience amid effects of climate change.

Speaking on Monday during a media tour of the areas organised by Emmanuel International which is implementing Titukulane Project, one of the community members, Amisa Chindamba from T/A Chowe, said they have erected stone bands and dug eyebrow basins and deep trenches to control the speed of water.

“We also harvest rain water and use it later for irrigation in our fields. Before these interventions, floods used to wash away our crops,” she said.

Chindamba said she is now able to get bumper harvest because the interventions have restored soil fertility in the area.

Ntuluko Village Development Committee chairperson Owen Break also said the interventions have improved food security.

Sub T/A Nkata said his subjects can now afford to eat the recommended  six food groups.

“I thank the organisation for promiting nutrition,” he said. 

Emmanuel International monitoring and evaluation technical coordinator Precious Mwanza said they want to improve people’s livelihoods.

“We also want people to generate income through selling farm produce,” he said.

With support from USAid, Emmanuel International is implementing the project along with Care Malawi, Save the Children, WaterAid, International Food Policy Research Institute and National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi.

The organisations are also implementing the project in Zomba District.