By Burnett Munthali
Inadequate supervision, insufficient inputs, and a lack of awareness about tree survival have been identified as key challenges affecting tree planting efforts in Mchinji district, officials have revealed.
Speaking to Nation Online, the district’s forestry officer, Fortune Mwafulirwa Kanyada, disclosed that during the 2023-2024 tree planting season, Mchinji targeted to plant 3,000,000 trees. However, only 2,405,604 trees were planted, and out of these, 1,886,716 survived, representing a 78.43 percent survival rate.
Kanyada emphasized the need for increased support for village natural resource management committees and more funding to enable extension workers to monitor the planted trees effectively. “Frequent training for local committees and adequate resources for field visits are crucial for improving tree survival rates,” he stated.
Environmental expert Maloto Chimkombero echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of long-term strategies for tree care. “Stakeholders involved in tree planting projects need to know that tree planting is not a one-day event but a lifetime project because we have to make sure that the trees we have planted are growing,” Chimkombero remarked.
He added that investing in post-planting activities such as regular watering, weeding, and monitoring could significantly increase tree survival rates.
Looking ahead, Mchinji district has set an ambitious target of planting over 3,500,000 trees during the 2025-2026 tree planting season. To achieve this, local authorities are calling for stronger collaboration between the government, non-governmental organizations, and community members.
Tree planting initiatives in Malawi are critical in combating deforestation, enhancing biodiversity, and mitigating climate change. However, the challenges faced in Mchinji underscore the need for a more holistic approach to ensure these efforts bear lasting fruit.