People in Traditional Authority Symon in Neno District have commended the Climate Just Communities Project for restoring degraded landscapes in the area.
Speaking on Friday during a monitoring visit to Nkhombe in group village head (GVH) Symon, one of the participants, Filipo Kwezalamba highlighted the project’s impact, saying the interventions such as construction of swales, stone bunds and planting vetiver grass have mitigated water run-off.
He said: “We thank Link Community Development Malawi for implementing the project. Most of our land was degraded, with deep gullies caused by water runoff, thereby affecting food production.
“However, the interventions are making a difference and we are hopeful we will get bumper yields this growing season.”
Kwezalamba also said the project has improved people’s livelihoods as participants get an income after working under the project.
Mwingitsa Village Natural Resources Management Committee chairperson Ben Dimba said his committee plans to plant 5 000 trees this rainy season as one way of restoring the environment.
GVH Symon commended the initiative, saying it is complementing climate-smart agriculture practices.
“Farmers are constructing swales, check dams and box ridges. These techniques will not only restore the environment but also ensure sustainable farming,” he said.
Link Community Development Malawi’s project manager Clement Mwazambumba said the two-year Climate Just Communities Project seeks to address challenges affecting communities resulting from adverse impacts of climate change.
He said the project’s objectives include empowering local communities to identify and prioritise climate-related challenges.
Said Mwazambumba: “The project has engaged 500 participants under the disaster risk management thematic area.”