EbAM project to help Karonga communities adapt to climate shocks

Communities in Karonga are poised to benefit from a new six-year climate resilience initiative aimed at restoring degraded landscapes and helping households adapt to recurring climate shocks such as droughts and floods.

The initiative, titled Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities in Malawi (EbAM), will run from 2025 to 2030 and is being implemented by the Government of Malawi with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

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The $53.2 million project is funded by the Green Climate Fund and will target 11 climate-vulnerable districts across the country.

FAO Chief Technical Advisor Ben Vickers said the project is built around nature based solutions and aims to empower farmers to build resilience through the sustainable use of ecosystems.

Vickers said, “We are working to provide vulnerable communities with the tools and knowledge to adapt their farming systems in the face of climate change particularly by making better use of forests, wetlands and other natural ecosystems.”

Karonga, located in the Northern Region has over the years experienced worsening climate extremes, including prolonged dry spells and sudden flash floods.

The district is now one of the 11 targeted areas alongside Nkhata Bay, Rumphi, Chitipa, Dedza, Zomba, Thyolo, Mangochi, Nsanje, Mwanza and Neno.

The project will focus on rehabilitating an estimated 88,800 hectares of degraded land through integrated watershed management and promotion of climate-smart agriculture practices.

According to the Department of Land Resources Conservation, the approach will not only improve agricultural productivity but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve water availability.

Deputy Director in the department, MacPherson Nthala, described the initiative as a game-changer for Malawi’s rural economy.

“Karonga is highly exposed to climate-related risks, and this project will be critical in promoting food and water security while reducing vulnerability to environmental hazards,” Nthala said.

In Karonga, key interventions will include agroforestry, sustainable soil and water management, and support for local governance structures to take a lead in land restoration efforts.

The initiative will also strengthen the capacity of district-level institutions and community-based organizations to coordinate and monitor climate adaptation interventions.

Chief Agriculture Officer for Karonga District Council, Jessie Mwambongo, hailed the project as a timely response to the region’s growing climate challenges.

Mwambongo said, “Our farmers have long suffered due to climate-related impacts, and this project will help them become more resilient and protect their livelihoods through improved practices and access to resources.”

With climate change expected to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in Malawi, the EbAM project is anticipated to be a key pillar in the country’s broader climate adaptation strategy under the National Resilience Strategy and Vision 2063.