Dowa District Council Approves Regenerative Agriculture and Forestry Technique (RAFT) Project
RAFT aims to enhance productivity, promote climate change resilience among smallholder households, restore biodiversity, and increase forest cover.
Dowa, Malawi - Dowa District Council has taken a significant step towards sustainable development and climate resilience by approving an innovative project, the Regenerative Agriculture and Forestry Technique (RAFT), to be implemented by Total Land Care, writes Mphatso M'bang'ombe.
Jephther Maliro, the Agribusiness and Marketing Officer, highlighted the project's objectives during a stakeholders' briefing meeting.
RAFT aims to enhance productivity, promote climate change resilience among smallholder households, restore biodiversity, and increase forest cover.
"Through the implementation of regenerative agriculture techniques, farmers will gain access to sustainable methods to overcome the challenges posed by climate change and achieve higher agricultural yields," stated Maliro.
The project also seeks to restore the biodiversity of natural landscapes, benefiting both the local ecosystem and smallholder farmers who rely on these ecosystems for their livelihoods.
Maliro emphasized that RAFT is designed to transform agricultural practises among smallholder farmers in Dowa District and bolster their resilience against the effects of climate change.
It aims to minimise the negative impacts of erratic weather patterns on crop yields by introducing regenerative agriculture techniques that restore and maintain soil health.
Mercy Mpakule, Director of Planning and Development at Dowa District Council, praised the project, highlighting its alignment with the council's forestry restoration plans outlined in the District Development Plan (DDP).
"We are committed to supporting the implementation of this project, as Dowa District Council recognizes its importance in addressing land degradation and environmental challenges in the district," Mpakule stated.
In addition to trees, the project will emphasize the planting of bamboos, particularly along riverbanks and slopes where soil erosion is a significant problem.
RAFT will be implemented in the areas of Traditional Authorities Chakhaza and Mkukula in the district.