Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project (Mwasip) has disbursed K38 million to farmers in Balaka to support sustainable land management initiatives in the district.
The funds have been allocated to four village-level action plans under the Lower Rivirivi Upper Catchment Management Committee, which has successfully restored over 100 hectares (ha) since the project began last year.
Speaking on Friday during the handover of a cheque to the communities in group village head Chiyembekedzo, Mwasip technical team member Oswald Mulenga expressed satisfaction with how people are protecting the environment through innovative farming practices.
“We introduced the Community Environmental Conservation Fund to encourage farmers to conserve the environment. So, we are awarding them grants in recognition of the efforts they made,” he said.
Balaka district principal agriculture officer Flanson Chamanza said the grants will help reduce deforestation.
“Many of these farmers are struggling to sustain their livelihoods because they did not harvest enough due to dry spells. As a result, they have been relying on the forest to survive. However, with this support, they will be able to establish small-scale businesses,” he said.
Balaka West legislator Bertha Ndebele (Democratic Progressive Party) said the funds will empower women to become economically independent.
Namikombe 1B6 Catchment Committee member Steven Jikele said the financial support will help to uplift their lives.
“I will put extra gear to ensure that next year we qualify again and receive another token of appreciation,” he said.
The project also donated six motorcycles to extension workers.
The project is implemented by the World Bank and the Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
