Dryland landscapes and livelihoods take center stage in Blantyre, Malawi

[Blantyre, Malawi] – 29 July-02 August 2024** – Over one hundred cross-sectoral stakeholders including land users, government officials, technical partners and project implementers from ten different countries across dryland ecoregions gathered in the Warm Heart of Africa (Malawi) on 29 July for the second regional stakeholders workshop for Southern Africa under the GEF-7 Sustainable Forest Management Impact Program on Dryland Sustainable Landscapes (DSL-IP).  

Co-organized with the program executing partners – the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies (WOCAT) – as well as region-specific technical knowledge hubs including: the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR), the Community Technology Development Trust (CTDT), and the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), the workshop promoted the vital connection between agriculture and forestry for environmental, social and economic benefits with focus on the Miombo-Mopane ecoregion. The event emphasized the need for an integrated and synergistic approach to meet the challenges of a growing population, while conserving precious dryland ecosystems.  

This five-day-long series of events and group discussions built on identified common management challenges that dryland countries face. In the Miombo-Mopane eco-region of Southern Africa in particular, a series of complementary country assessments have shed light on three common management challenges: i) a decline in rain-fed agricultural productivity (mainly maize as staple food crop) due to climate change with increasing pressure on the remaining forest resources ; ii) lack of access to cross-sectoral extension services and technical knowledge constraining adoption of  sustainable land and forest management practices; and iii) limited access to markets for dryland commodities. 

Participants discussed and explored practical integrated solutions for addressing these challenges in dryland ecosystems, recognizing the interconnectedness of land use, climate change and biodiversity. In his opening remarks, Yusuf Mkungula, Principal Secretary of the Malawi Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change emphasized that  

Diversification is more than just a strategy; it is a lifeline. By encouraging farmers to cultivate a variety of crops—ranging from drought-resistant staples to high-value cash crops—we can enhance resilience against the harsh realities of climate change-related consequences. 

In Malawi, for instance, the DSL-IP is supporting the upscale of existing successful practices for improved land productivity, while preserving the ecosystems. The so-called Integrated Food and Energy Systems (IFES) approach involves a diversified agricultural production system that optimizes land and biomass use through a combined cultivation of staple food crops and drought tolerant legumes.  

Within this context, the system intercrops pigeon peas with staple food crops, including maize, sorghum, and other crops of preference under rain-fed farming conditions for multiple environmental and socioeconomic benefits. This system therefore:   

Benefitting from Malawi's experience, and with a view to addressing similar challenges, Namibia and Zimbabwe – among other countries – acknowledged the multiple benefits of the IFES approach and interest in adopting it, specifically tailoring it to their country context, and thus showing effectiveness of regional and South-South exchange. 

The workshop highlighted the crucial role of dryland landscapes in supporting livelihoods and biodiversity, while recognizing the significant threats posed by climate change, unsustainable land use practices, and population growth. Participants renewed their request expressed in May, 2023 during the first regional stakeholders workshop held in Zimbabwe, to extend the thematic priorities of the DSL-IP to drought and wildfire management. "Drought is not just a natural disaster; it is a relentless challenge that threatens the livelihoods of countless farmers, the stability of our food systems, and the very fabric of our communities. The ripple effects extend far beyond the fields and country borders, affecting the region overall" said Yusuf Mkungula, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change of Malawi, highlighting the urgency of tackling the issue together with wildfire.  

The workshop explored ways to create economic opportunities for local communities, particularly in areas where traditional livelihoods are threatened by land degradation. For the first time, the regional workshop was also enriched by the knowledge and hands-on experiences of representatives from Forest and Farm Producer Organizations comprising farmers and land users themselves from the DSL-IP countries 

Local knowledge is a treasure trove of insights that we must not underestimate. Indigenous communities and local farmers possess a deep understanding of their environments, which has been honed over generations. By incorporating their wisdom with modern scientific approaches, we can develop more holistic and adaptive management strategies that are culturally appropriate and scalable across borders.  

Echoing the afore-mentioned words from the FAO Forestry Director, Zhimin Wu, seeing these actors, stewards of dryland landscapes for past, present and future generations, exchange knowledge and expertise with government officials and technical partners, allowed to ever more see the path ahead towards resilience for the region and drylands overall. Practitioners joining the workshop have greatly contributed to shaping project priorities, actions and solutions that influence their everyday activities.   

This regional collaboration, involving the regional network of farmer/land user organizations as well as the African Forest Forum (AFF), the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) – serves as a crucial step in advancing the GEF-7 Impact Program's mission towards land degradation neutrality while providing a strong knowledge and capacity exchange foundation for a geographic and thematic expansion. "This workshop has been an incredible opportunity to learn from each other and to forge new partnerships," shared Sonny W. Mokgwathi, Programme Officer, Forestry, Directorate of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources, at the Southern African Development Community (SADC), reflecting the positive sentiment among participants. Moving forward, the existing and well-established DSL-IP Regional Exchange Mechanism for Southern Africa can be leveraged on as the SADC’s Great Green Wall Initiative’s knowledge management, capacity enhancement and stakeholder engagement hub. This quote from the last day of the regional workshop transformed this week-long event into a launchpad for years to come.  

This year's workshop is a testament to the Program's commitment to collaborative action, fostering a shared vision for a future where dryland ecosystems thrive and support healthy communities. The success of this workshop, with its focus on building consensus and fostering collaboration, offers a beacon of hope for the future of dryland landscapes. By embracing a holistic approach that prioritizes sustainable practices, economic development, and strong partnerships, the participating countries and stakeholders can work together to safeguard these vital ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. 

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