Farmers demand land restoration activities
Farmers in Rumphi District are demanding land restoration interventions run under the Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme to improve soil fertility in their gardens.
The farmers, who are not participants under the programme, say interventions such as swales, stone bunds, check dams and planting trees are crucial in restoring degraded landscapes.
In an interview on Monday, one of the farmers, George Mhango, said participants made contour marker ridges and planted trees in his garden.
Another farmer, Modester Kalua of Mhuju said the programme’s interventions have protected her forest as participants made fire brakes around her reserve.
“Although I am not a participant, I have benefitted from the interventions,” he said.
Mphompha Extension Planning Area acting extension development officer Dickson Mtawali said many people were demanding the interventions.
He said: “Initially we faced challenges accessing land on which to implement the programme’s activities because some farmers felt that making swales reduced hectares.
“However, farmers have realised that swales, contour marker ridges and other interventions reduce surface water runoff and conserve water and soil.”
Rumphi District Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme project facilitator Maclean Munyenyembe said he was optimistic that the programme will enhance farmers’ resilience in the face of climate change shocks.
The programme is funded by the Multi-Donor Trust Fund and the World Bank