Nature is severely threatened
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world and also has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world at 3%. The small country is acutely threatened by desertification and the complete loss of its native nature. Once the forest disappears, people are increasingly affected by drought and floods. As the forest disappears, so does the unique biodiversity - forever.
Rare bast palm
In the Nantipwili River Valley south of the town of Blantyre, there are still small remnants of forest. Even the extremely rare bast palm (Raphia farnifera) can be found here. Numerous rare and mostly endangered animal and plant species have also found a last refuge here.
Every year the forest becomes less, because people need wood. Their fields often border directly on the forest and extend a little further into it every year. Mainly maize is grown in monoculture and a lot of chemical fertiliser and pesticides are used. Since there are no deep-rooted trees and part of the cropland is washed away every year during the rainy season, yields are low.
Saving biodiversity
Around the Nantipwili river valley, we want to support 20 families to use the dynamic agroforestry cultivation method. With this method, they plant a large number of trees while simultaneously growing their food on the same area - without fertiliser, without pesticides and with high yields.
In September 2017, we will start with the first training. The project is supported by the Hand in Hand Fund, Rapunzel and Deutsche Umwelthilfe. But we can use all the help we can get. Plant trees in Malawi with us now and help us save the last bast palms.
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