JB pushes for environmental conservation in Zomba

Former president Joyce Banda has emphasised that Malawians need to put much effort on restoring the environment.

She said this on Tuesday at Domasi in Zomba District when she launched a tree-planting exercise at the newly-constructed houses for Cyclone Freddy survivors.

Banda said environmental conservation initiatives are crucial for ensuring a more sustainable future.

“Through reforestation, Malawi can mitigate environmental shocks such as erratic rains and dry spells which are chocking agriculture,” she said.

Banda, who also distributed foodstuffs such as maize and porridge flour to the communities, said Malawians should develop the spirit of sharing basic things to ensure that no one dies of hunger in the country.

“The elderly, children and those suffering from chronic diseases need supplementary food support to be healthy,” she said.

Florida Mtunduwatha, a widow of five children  from Kundecha Village in Senior Chief Malemia, who benefited from the relief maize, said she was in need of maize seed and fertiliser to invest in winter cropping.

She said the maize she planted was scorched by heat due to dry spells in the district.

“There is land in our area for winter cropping, but I need farm inputs,” said Mtunduwatha.

Group village head Mtogolo agreed with Mtunduwatha that communities need support of farm inputs such as seeds and fertiliseras well as water pumps to invest in winter cropping.

“We need sustainable agricultural technologies to be food secure,” he said.

The former president is a Cyclone Freddy goodwill ambassador alongside former president Bakili Muluzi.