MDF Shifts Focus to Tree Survival and Community Involvement in 2026 Green Drive
The Malawi Defence Force (MDF) has unveiled a renewed approach to its environmental conservation efforts, placing emphasis on tree survival and community participation rather than numbers alone during the 2026 Tree Planting Season.
The initiative was officially launched at Kamuzu Barracks in Lilongwe, at the Transport Battalion premises, where Commander of the Malawi National Service (MNS), Major General Elvis Mwase, underscored the need for long-term impact through proper care and maintenance of planted trees.
Major General Mwase said the MDF is deliberately extending the exercise beyond military installations to nearby communities, a move aimed at restoring degraded land while fostering shared responsibility for environmental protection.
To support the programme, MDF has received a significant boost from its partners, Press Trust and Msilikali SACCO (MSACCO), who together donated 20,000 tree seedlings. The support is expected to strengthen the force’s capacity to meet its overall target for the season.
Press Trust Executive Secretary Gibson Ngalamila praised the MDF for consistently championing environmental initiatives, describing the military as a key partner in promoting sustainable land management.
On his part, MSACCO Chief Executive Officer Venge Tembo highlighted the importance of collaboration in safeguarding the environment, noting that restoring nature requires collective effort from institutions and communities alike.
