Zomba, Phalombe, Machinga. The Lake Chilwa Basin (LCB) in Malawi is a vital resource for both local and national economies. However, despite its significance, many communities in Zomba, Phalombe and Machinga continue to grapple with poverty. The escalating impacts of climate change and the deteriorating ecosystem of the LCB have placed immense strain on the livelihoods of these communities. As climate shocks grow more frequent and severe, there is an urgent need for solutions that enable people not only to survive but to thrive.
In response, in collaboration with Trocaire, and support from Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA), we launched the “Community-led Planning and Management for Biodiversity Protection and Resilient Communities in the Catchment Area of Lake Chilwa, Malawi” project. This initiative focuses on enhancing the resilience of vulnerable communities by addressing both environmental and economic challenges.
A central pillar of the project is its partnership with 48 Village Natural Resources Management Committees (VNRMCs). These committees have been trained extensively in natural resource management, including tree nursery establishment, tree planting and catchment conservation. In addition to the training, the VNRMCs have been equipped with essential tools such as wheelbarrows, shovels, watering cans, gum boots and polyethylene tubes. This support has significantly enhanced their ability to manage and protect the biodiversity within the LCB, contributing to a more sustainable ecosystem.
Beyond environmental conservation, the project addresses the economic well-being of VNRMC members through the introduction of a goat pass-on program. This program targets marginalized women, youth and people with disabilities, providing them with goats that offer manure for sustainable farming and serve as a source of income. By selling goats, recipients can improve their household finances and overall livelihoods.
One of the program's beneficiaries, 27-year-old Margret Phiri from Phalombe, shared her heartfelt appreciation: “I am very happy to be amongst the recipients of the goats. These goats will not only give me manure for farming, but they will also provide me with income upon sale, which will allow me to take care of my household,” she expressed her joy.
The project’s success has also garnered praise from local government officials. During a goat fair ceremony, Mr. Sebastian Kalunga, the District Animal Health and Livestock Development Officer for Phalombe, applauded the initiative: “As a district, we are very happy with the JOA LCB project and this intervention. It is not only helping us multiply goats in the communities through the introduction of different breeds but also assisting the government in achieving our goal of resilient households through livestock ownership.”
To ensure the sustainability of the goat program, the project supports Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) with drug boxes containing medications to care for the distributed goats. This provision reduces mortality rates and ensures farmers reap the full benefits of their livestock.
Thus far, the JOA SCIAF LCB project has provided 129 VNRMC members across Machinga, Zomba, and Phalombe with five goats each, creating lasting economic benefits for the recipients.
This initiative is part of a larger effort by CARD and Trocaire, in collaboration with ICRAF and CISONECC, to build climate-resilient communities around Lake Chilwa from 2023 to 2027. Through collective action, the four-year JOA SCIAF LCB project seeks to combat climate change and poverty, ensuring a more secure future for the people of Malawi.
