Reforestation & Agroforestry in Malawi, Africa
Malawi has one of the highest deforestation rates in Sub-Saharan Africa
Malawi is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa, and as much as 97% of the country's population dependent on biomass for energy, and wood in particular. As a result, the country has one of highest deforestation rates in Sub-Saharan Africa. Malawi's overall forest cover has declined from 3.5 million hectares of natural forest in 1990, to 2.24 million hectares in 2020 – an area almost half the size of Massachusetts. The country's indigenous primary forest has been particularly hard hit, declining by 60% from 1.7 million to 700,000 hectares. Besides demand for firewood, the expansion of cultivated land has been putting more pressure on forests and the loss of trees has caused erosion, severe flooding & land degradation.
A forest Lowani planted in 2012
What can be done?
Over the last decade, a local man called Lowani has been working tirelessly with his community to turn around unsustainable land management practices. He began his mission back in 2012 when he planted a forest to stop erosion from deforestation that was threatening his community. He has also been teaching agroforestry methods to his community, surrounding villages and he has been giving talks around Africa & Europe on food security and the local food movement. Lowani has spent 15 years bringing back native forest cover has been determined to turn around the rapid rate of deforestation happening in his country, which is estimated to have lost 33% of its forest cover since 1990. He has planted over 2.5 Million trees in his region, organizing extensive tree planting teaching farmers and community groups about sustainable farming practices and regenerating the environment.
Lowani has created large nurseries working with the local community to produces tens of thousands of tree seedlings. Some of these trees provide fruit & nuts, bringing local people an income & providing food secruity.
We need your support.
We need your support.
Lowani is dedicated to teaching local farmers sustainable agroforestry methods, and his expertise and knowledge is extremely valuable in Malawi to help ensure a better future for the countrys forests and biodiversity. Leaf of Life has been supporting Lowani’s work since 2020 and thanks to our members we have been able to help continue to support his work. For more up to date details on the project development, you can join our regenerative membership where you will gain exclusive access to our latest posts and video updates on this project and other projects we support.