UNDP model village project pays off

A model village project implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Traditional Authority Simulemba in Kasungu District has transformed people’s lives.

The project titled Climate Resilience Initiative Malawi (Crim) and funded by the Government of Flanders, has seen communities move away from rain-fed farming to solar-powered irrigation.

The project has also installed piped water, introduced climate smart agriculture technologies,  promoted beekeeping and livestock farming as well as saving culture.

Head of Division at Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office, Delphine Delouvroy, who is leading a delegation visiting the country, said her government is committed to helping communities in Malawi adapt against effects of climate change.

“The Government of Flanders has been working with Malawi for the past 15 years. We have witnessed some specific projects in Kasungu such as irrigation farms using solar panels, fruit farming and beekeeping.

“The project is phasing out and we wanted to see the results on the ground.”

UNDP deputy country representative Challa Kumsa thanked the Government of Flanders for financing the project.

“Communities participated in the design and implementation of the project. Today we can see how they have benefited from the project,” he said.

He appealed to Malawi Government to replicate the model village in other areas.

One of the beneficiaries, Lonely Chirwa, said the area had no fertile soils and rainfall was erratic.

“We could not produce much in our farms and we had no clean water. But the Crim project trained us in modern farming technologies and encouraged us to grow different crops through irrigation,” she said.

Chirwa said besides crop production, the project introduced bee and livestock farming which have improved their economic statuses.