Resource information
The programmme is a result of issues and concerns expresses by Malawians on food security, water and sanitation renewable energy, forest product and services, environment and indigenous knowledge. Consistent with article 10 of CCD and article 8 of Annex 1 (Regional Implementation Annex for Africa), the overall strategy of the National Action Programme shall: (i) emphasize integrated local development programmes for affected areas, based on participatory mechanisms and on integration of strategies for poverty eradication into efforts to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought, (ii) aim at strengthening the capacity of local authorities and ensuring the active involvement of local populations, communities and groups, with emphasis on education and training, mobilization of non-governmental organisations with proven expertise and strengthening of decentralised government structures.The goal of the country programme on CCD is to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought.In order to make agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable, the following issues were identified and actions are suggested by the programme: (i) decrease levels of soil erosion resulting in barren lands being left for crop production (ii) strengthen implementation of recommended farming practices i.e. contour ridging, agro-forestry, use of votives hedgerows, application of organic and inorganic manure, (iii) introduce modern farming techniques such as animal and tractor drawn implements, including hire schemes, (iv) intensify agro-forestry systems especially in hilly and dry areas, (v) strengthen campaigns for crop rotation, mixed cropping, application of organic manure, (vi) create new schemes for irrigated agriculture and target farm families and rehabilitate old agriculture schemes - their current poor state is due to poor policies and negligence, (vii) encourage farmers to use organic manure, and adopt proper methods of application of fertiliser and pesticides, (viii) promote researched measures of integrated pest management, (ix) protect catchment areas from encroachment by improved agricultural production activities and settlements through enforcement of existing laws, and imposing much heavier fines for forestry offenses as a deterrent.Regarding the reduction rural poverty, the following programme will be implemented in order to combat chronic poverty, with no propensity to invest in land improvements: (i) introduce other income generating activities, (ii) population policies geared towards family planning so that the few resources that are available can satisfy the population, (iii) develop a spirit of creativity amongst the communities so that other avenues for generating incomes can be identified, (iv) promote energy-related income generating activities such as biomass briquetting so that people who are dependent on wood fuel as a source of income are provided with alternative sources of income and energy, (v) subsidize the cost of cookers and reduce tariffs on electricity.To enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems, the NAP plans to encourage production and marketing of tree through the improvement of market wood product and reviewing marketing policies to include an environmental component.In the context of governance, the NAP plans to harmonise existing policies and legislation in order to promote community participation in natural resources management planning and decision making.
