Malawi

Landscape Story

The socio-ecological production landscape identified as the target area for the Community Development and Knowledge Management for the Satoyama Initiative Project (COMDEKS) in Malawi is the Tukombo-Kande region. The target landscape is approximately 27,000 ha, and covers three Traditional Authority (TA) areas: Zilakoma, Malengamzoma, and Fukamapiri. The Dwambazi River forms the lower boundary, while the Northern part of the strip goes up to the Kande Trading Centre in Northern Malawi.

The Tukombo-Kande region is a scenic area composed of mountain ranges on the eastern stretch (with columns of both protected and customary forests), cascading down into customary farmland and settlements areas. Wetland areas along the shores of Lake Malawi are rich in biodiversity, and support a number of fishing activities. Tukombo-Kande  has been selected as the target landscape due to the potential for integration of fishing and farming communities with the rich Tonga (ethnic tribe) culture. The combination of biodiversity protection activities and trade center development show potential for successful projects in this region.

Biological Impact

The climate of the target landscape is fairly humid, with average monthly temperatures ranging between 20-28°C. The temperatures are however modified by lake breezes along the shore of Lake Malawi. The area has two very important forest reserves: Kuwirwe and Chisasira. The forests are habitats for different wildlife such as birds, rodents, warthogs, monkeys, hyenas, and antelopes. Wetlands are dominated by Ficus sycomorus, Syzygium cordatum, kamphalasa, mtatu and mgoza plants, and a variety of wildlife including many fish species. The most common fish is Engarulicypris sadella (usipa), which is processed and sold at fish landing sites.

Dependence upon the environment is crucial for landscape residents livelihoods. Tree and shrub species from the forests are used for firewood, medicinal uses, construction of canoes, and rafters for fish processing. Agricultural land is vast, with many different types of produce including maize and cereals. The dominant crops in terms of land allocation are cassava, maize, groundnuts, sweetpotato, rice, bananas and beans

Socio-economic Impact

According to the 2007/08 enumeration, the Tukombo-Kande area has a population of 58,260 people with over 11,200 farming families representing 27% of the total farming families present in Nkhata Bay District. The major sources of livelihood support for the Tukombo-Kande area are based on agriculture, fishing and small scale businesses. Less than 1% of total household income comes from formal sector employment. Agriculture is largely a female dominated occupation since male members consider fishing as more commercially attractive. Many agricultural products such as cassava and sweet potato are traded locally, but are not properly integrated into the urban markets. Commodity prices are extremely low at the peak of season due to high supply which does not match the available demand.

The major ethnic groups in the area are Tongas (64%) and Tumbukas (33%), as well as tribes of Nkhonde, Chewa, Lomwe and Ngoni. The inhabitants have deep cultural traditions that have been used in the protection of biodiversity.

Baseline Assessment

In September 2012, a grant has been awarded to Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bunda College in Malawi in order to conduct the landscape-wide baseline assessment of the Socio-Ecological Production Landscape (SEPL) of the target area. The baseline assessment and community consultation workshop, aimed at piloting the SEPLs indicators, was conducted in October 2012 to assess the overall performance of the target landscape.

Community consultation workshops were conducted in eight villages and four Traditional Areas (TAs) in order to identify indicators for resilience in the Socio-ecological Production Landscape. Stakeholders such as forest officers, farmers, and NGO representatives were engaged in the design of the COMDEKS Country Programme Landscape Strategy.

Landscape Strategy

The overall long-term objective of the COMDEKS Landscape Strategy is to enhance socio-ecological production landscape resilience through community-based activities. The COMDEKS Country program in Malawi seeks to achieve the following outcomes:

a)     Diversified livelihood resources and improved welfare of the landscape, through the development of community-based ecotourism, and other alternative livelihood activities to broaden the household income base

b)      Conservation of natural woodlands, Village Forest areas and other habitats such as sacred groves, watershed, and aquatic habitat

c)      Implementation of agricultural practices such as agroforestry, crop diversification, conservation agriculture, value addition and processing of produce

d)      Establishment of community-based institutional governance structures.

Country Project

The COMDEKS project seeks to bring about community development, learning, and knowledge sharing by making available small grants to community organizations to help them maintain and manage more resilient socio-ecological production landscapes. The types of community projects that will be funded to achieve socio-ecological production landscape resilience must address more than one landscape outcome and should be inter-sectorial, innovative, sustainable and replicable by nature.

Projects are expected to result in sustainable agricultural practices, increased ecosystem resilience, and improved access to credit. The potential projects for funding include those that promote biodiversity conservation, crop diversification, livestock production, bee keeping, value addition and agro-processing, irrigation farming, aquaculture, and adoption of soil, water and energy saving technologies. Projects that aim to improve governance structures for community based organizations (CBOs), village natural resources management committees (VNRMCs), and other community associations will also be supported.

Examples of eligible projects include restoration of wetland areas, establishment of seed banks, and promotion of initiatives for crop diversification.

New! COMDEKS Country Programme Landscape Strategy for Malawi can be downloaded here.

PHOTOSTORY:

Natural Resources Management in Tukombo-Kande, Malawi

The Community Development and Knowledge Management for the Satoyama Initiative (COMDEKS) Project is a unique global project implemented by UNDP as the flagship of the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI). The COMDEKS Project has partnered with the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bunda College in Malawi with the aim of maintaining, rebuilding and revitalizing the Tukombo-Kande landscape. Here, the survival of one mature tree is a testament to the land degradation that has occurred in the Tukombo-Kande region.
The COMDEKS Project in Malawi began with a baseline assessment in order to understand the challenges facing the region. Community members gathered as part of the stakeholder consultation workshop in order to discuss their aspirations for the landscape.
The COMDEKS project is currently piloting a set of Indicators for Resilience in Socio-ecological Production Landscape and Seascapes (SEPLS), as part of the baseline assessment process. The indicators, developed by Bioversity International and UNU-IAS, help measure the resilience of the target landscape. Women actively participated in the indicators consultation process by sharing their perspectives on ecosystem protection, agricultural biodiversity, knowledge, learning and innovation, and social equity.
Women participate in food production by soaking Cassava crops in pots, then drying them on racks. Both men and women will benefit from understanding the strategies, tools and skills to implement socio-ecological production landscape (SEPL) initiatives.
A local development worker answers the community’s questions during the baseline assessment. The community identified potential for the landscape in three areas: 1. Protection of biodiversity, 2. The integration of diverse landscapes, and 3.The integration of fishing and farming communities for successful trading activity.
Giant trees still available in the SEPL, too large to be rounded by three people with arms stretched.
Lake Malawi is a major hotspot for biodiversity in the region. The Lake also plays an important role as a source of economic activity. Fishing towns bordering the lake catch, dry, and sell fish to make a living.
Fish drying racks at the landing site display the integration of the agricultural and forested landscapes. As trees are cleared, villagers must journey further up the mountains to acquire wood for their drying racks. Wood is also valuable as a source of both household energy and fuelwood for fish processing.
The farming community can benefit from water management policies that combat land degradation and improve agricultural productivity. Even crops just 100 meters from the shore of Lake Malawi, such as in this rice field, have issues with water scarcity. Restoration of wetland landscapes has the potential to improve food security at the local level.
Community members in the water-stressed Tukombo-Kande region use traditional intercropping practices in response to water stress. Bean and maize crops are grown together, just 300-400 meters from the Lake.
Sweet potatoes and maize may also be grown on the same land. The sweet potatoes utilize the residual moisture in the soil after the maize is harvested. Examination of tilling practices may also lead to improved landscape management.
The potential for banana production in the Tukombo-Kande region is evident. Banana crops may provide an alternative livelihood for farmers and fishermen.
Eco-tourism of untapped beaches presents an opportunity for income diversification.
Education is key to the success of sustainable land management practices. Intensive environmental education about the impacts of destructive bushfires will combat land degradation.
Strong community ties contribute to the success of on-the-ground activities. The COMDEKS project supports inclusive institutional structures to increase the resilience of the landscape. Successful COMDEKS projects will be used as models for replication and upscaling in other parts of the world.

Project Contact

Mr. Alex Damaliphetsa
National Coordinator
Phone: +265 1 773 500
Fax: +265 1 773 637
Email: Alex.Damaliphetsa@undp.org

Ms. Nyembezi JENDA
Programme Assistant
Phone:+ 265 1 773 500
Fax:+265 1 773 637
Email:nyembezi.jenda@undp.org

Address
Zowe House, Area 40, c/o UNDP Malawi, P.O. Box 30135 , LILONGWE 3 , Africa