People in Dowa Hail SSRLP Initiative

Communities under Traditional Authority Kayembe in Dowa have expressed appreciation for the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Program (CSEPWP), citing its positive impact on crop yields and soil health.

Speaking on Wednesday during a field visit to the Kampira Kawale catchment area, catchment foreman Blessings Zaliere highlighted the project’s role in improving soil fertility and reducing erosion.

“In the past, our areas suffered from severe soil erosion, which resulted in poor crop yields,” Zaliere said. “With the inception of the program, people are now achieving bumper harvests, which is very encouraging.”

He also praised the program’s community contribution component, where participants work for 10 days without incentives, as it has increased farmers’ environmental awareness and instilled a sense of ownership. Additionally, he noted that community-enforced by-laws, with stiff penalties for tree cutting, have significantly reduced deforestation in the area.

Harristone Makuluni, chairperson of the Catchment Management Committee, shared his personal experience. “Previously, I struggled to harvest enough due to a lack of knowledge about best practices,” he said. “Through the program, we were trained to construct infiltration pits, which control water and retain moisture, enabling crops to thrive. This has greatly improved my yields.”

Makuluni also noted that the group has planted 94,000 tree seedlings this year, further contributing to environmental conservation.

Kingster Kathumba, the District Project Facilitator, commended the community’s commitment to the program. “I am particularly impressed by the by-laws that communities have set to protect forests,” he said.

The program, implemented by the National Local Government Finance Committee under the Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Project (SSRLP), focuses on soil conservation through afforestation, reforestation, swale construction, and the creation of infiltration pits. It is funded by the World Bank and the Multi-Donor Trust Fund.