Community members in Traditional Authority Wasambo in Karonga have commended the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (Cadecom) under Karonga Diocese for constructing a dyke that has halted floods in the area.
Libweralumba Primary School head teacher Mabvuto Mkandawire said since the construction of the dyke and subsequent planting of vetiver grass, the school is not experiencing floods.
“We used to experience floods which disrupted classes. However, since constructing the dyke last year, we have not experienced them,” he said.
A farmer, Maria Phiri, said they have resumed rice farming because the area is not experiencing floods anymore.
“We stopped cultivating rice three years ago because of floods. However, Cadecom supported efforts to construct the dyke to stop them. We have resumed rice farming and that will enhance food and income security at household level,” she said.
On her part, Karonga District Council chief agriculture officer Jessie Mwambongo said the construction of the dyke and planting of vetiver grass and trees resonates with the council’s effort of providing solutions to natural shocks that affect agriculture.
“Cadecom’s initiative will improve food and income security as farmers have resumed their farming activities in fields they abandoned due to flooding,” she said.
Cadecom’s Climate Just Communities project coordinator Elijah Banda said the field visit was aimed at giving the council an opportunity to appreciate the project’s progress in conserving the environment.
“Apart from constructing water controlling structures, we have intensified tree-planting initiatives, production of Mbeya fertiliser and encouraging farmers to venture into irrigation farming,” he said.
With funding from the Scottish Government through DAI Global UK, Cadecom is implementing the project in 21 village development committees in T/A Wasambo in the district.
