Integrating Aquaculture-Agriculture to Combat Food Insecurity in Malawi

IAAM is a five-year initiative to increase the productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers — especially women — in integrated systems of fish, crops, livestock and agroforestry. The Department of Forestry leads its Forestry and Biodiversity component, which aims to improve forest cover in fishing communities through community woodlots and natural regeneration.

The component works in 10 group village heads in each of the eight districts — 80 village natural resources management committees in all.

Progress

• 80 community woodlots established — 100% of the target.

• 396,328 tree seedlings planted, including indigenous species, giant bamboo and fruit trees.

• 159 hectares of degraded land under new vegetation, against a target of 80 hectares.

• 2,400 giant bamboo seedlings distributed to the 80 committees.

• 80 draft participatory forest management plans produced.

Lessons

Planting must be followed by management for seedlings to survive, and livelihood options such as giant bamboo help restoration last. Theft of seedlings, floods and rising costs have been the main challenges.

Desk officer: Rodgers Tumba, Forestry Officer.