SAMALA Project Tackles Land Degradation in 4 Districts
Total Land Care says project addressing critical issue through holistic approach
DOWA, Malawi— Total Land Care, an implementing partner for the Dowa District Council, says its Sustainable Management of Landscapes (SAMALA) Project is addressing the critical issue of land degradation through a holistic approach to restore degraded lands in the four districts of Mzimba, Kasungu, Ntchisi and Dowa, writes Vincent Gunde.
The SAMALA project, which started in September 2022 and runs until 2027, is being implemented through a consortium with ICRAF as one of the partners.
It aims to improve catchment management with sustained land productivity and strengthen inclusive community governance structures and local institutions for sustainable landscape management, among other key objectives.
"The project has seen 88 forest areas demarcated in a database, with 57 villages and 3 individual forest areas utilizing the forests," said Ethel Chilumpha, SAMALA Project's programs manager.
Chilumpha said the selection of Expansion Planning Areas (EPAs) was based on information from the district office about land degradation in the EPAs and soil erosion rates from the Department of Land Resources Conservation.
She said communities in the impact areas are utilizing the forests for fruits, mushrooms, stick bugs (Mphalabungu) and fuelwood, adding that the project has trained lead farmers in soil and water conservation measures.
"The project has increased land tenure security and community knowledge on existing regulatory frameworks and diversification and strengthening of livelihoods to achieve the planned objectives," Chilumpha said.
In agroforestry, she said the project conducted a field scooping study led by the ICRAF team to assess agroforestry needs on the ground, noting that the dominant crops in the sites are maize, soybeans, groundnuts, common beans and vegetables.
"Producer groups were trained in bulking and collective marketing to increase bargaining power," Chilumpha said.
She expressed hope that the good collaboration and coordination with stakeholders, which has simplified implementation arrangements for the SAMALA Project, will continue until the project's expiry in the impact districts.
The Sustainable Management of Landscapes (SAMALA) Project is being implemented in the four districts of Mzimba, Kasungu, Ntchisi and Dowa with funds from Irish Aid and the Flanders Government amounting to 4,749,942.65 euros.