Communities in Neno District have commended the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme being implemented in the district for helping to improve their crop output.

Speaking on Friday during a meeting at Mtayanyemba in Senior Chief Mlauli, one of the participants, Chikwaya Mayeso, said he has harvested 15 bags of 50 kilogrammes each of maize compared to eight bags he harvested last year on the same piece of land.

“My field is one of the project impact areas where check dams were constructed and this helped to prevent soil erosion,” he said.

Some of the participants listen during the meeting

Another participant from Chapita Village, Frank Banda said his field is being restored and hopes to reap more benefits in the next growing season.

Neno District Council director of planning and development Charles Lomoni condemned wanton cutting down of trees which he said has potential to degrade the environment even further in the district.

He said: “A lot of trees are being cut for charcoal and firewood and this will have adverse impact on the environment.

“We are urging the communities to stop this malpractice.”

Group village head Msalawatha commended the programme, saying it is helping to restore degraded landscapes.

He asked his subjects to continue participating in the initiative, saying it is beneficial to their areas.

National Local Government Finance Committee social development officer Mateso Kazembe said the meeting was aimed at getting feedback from the citizens on the level of knowledge and awareness of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project, including the Public Works Programme.

In Neno, the project is targeting 11 635 participants in its 14 micro-catchment areas

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