Turning Degraded Land into Food-Secure Farms in Chiweta–Tcharo

In the Chiweta–Tcharo mountain area of Rumphi District, northern Malawi, local communities are reclaiming degraded land and improving their livelihoods through climate-smart agriculture and reforestation activities led by Life Concern (LICO). This initiative, implemented with strong community participation, has reached over 1,500 households across seven Group Village Heads and 11 villages under Traditional Authority Mwamlowe.

Before the project, unsustainable farming practices, uncontrolled tree cutting, and erratic rainfall had left the mountain slopes heavily degraded. Deep gullies, soil erosion, and declining crop yields caused chronic food insecurity, leaving families vulnerable to climate shocks. Recognizing this, LICO worked with communities to adopt practical solutions such as agroforestry, conservation agriculture, reforestation, and gully reclamation to restore the landscape and strengthen resilience.

Communities have planted trees across approximately 4,500 hectares, supported natural forest regeneration, and demarcated forests through participatory forest management plans. Indigenous trees, bamboo, and vetiver grass have stabilized steep slopes, reduced soil erosion, and protected water sources feeding into Lake Malawi. Meanwhile, 3,000 hectares of farmland now host drought-tolerant crops like cassava, bananas, and sweet potatoes, improving household food availability and reducing dependence on external aid.

Gully reclamation activities using locally available materials have reclaimed previously unusable land, preventing soil loss during heavy rains. Early monitoring indicates stronger soil stability across the Chiweta and Tcharo catchments, giving farmers renewed confidence in their land.

Beneficiaries report tangible changes in daily life. Yolamu Muyola from Chiweta shared, “We used to lose our crops every rainy season because the soil would be washed away. With the new farming methods and the trees, bamboo, and vetiver we have planted, our land is productive again, and our families are now food secure.” Similarly, Mwiza Thalavu from the Mlowe area said, “The changes are clear. The gullies are reducing, crops are doing well, and we now understand how to protect our land for our children.”

Through these activities, communities have not only restored their environment but also strengthened local knowledge and ownership of land management. Functional participatory structures ensure that practices are sustained, while collaboration with local leaders reinforces accountability and collective responsibility for natural resources.

LICO’s integrated approach demonstrates that when communities are equipped with the right knowledge, skills, and support, they can transform degraded landscapes into productive, resilient environments. The Chiweta–Tcharo experience highlights the power of climate-smart agriculture and reforestation to improve food security, protect natural resources, and enhance livelihoods in rural Malawi. 

The initiative is implemented jointly by Life Concern and Rumphi district council, with support from Malawi Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA).