Community-Based Adaptation in Malawi: Building Resilience in Zomba
In Zomba, Malawi, a notable Community-Based Adaptation (CBA) initiative involves community-managed contour bunds and early warning systems on the slopes of Mount Mulanje to combat landslides and floods. The initiative tackles frequent landslides and soil erosion from heavy rains, intensified by climate change, which threaten farming and homes in this hilly, flood-prone region.
Communities participate through village committees that leadplanning, select sites using local maps, and decide on measures like contour bunds during participatory workshops. The project has reduced soil loss by 40%, boosted crop yields via agroforestry, and saved lives via timely alerts, fostering economic stability.
Traditional practices in the region include intercropping maize with legumes and using contour ridges, rooted in Chewa traditions for soil retention. Bamboo or thatch irrigation channels are used for rainwater harvesting, and brick houses with thatched roofs are elevated on platforms for flood protection. Oral weather forecasting from cloud patterns and bird behavior is also practiced.
These practices address current risks like erratic rains moderately but face erosion from population pressure; many persist alongside modern hybrid seeds, though youth prefer cash crops. The initiatives are linked to Chewa cultural values of communal land stewardship (ubwino) and ancestral spirits tied to the land, reinforcing identity and social cohesion.
Under Locally-Led Adaptation (LLA), funding is devolved for scaling contour bunds, youth are trained on hybrid systems blending traditional methods with sensor technology, and links are made to district policies for multi-level support. However, policy neglect, youth migration, generational knowledge loss, and donor dependency pose barriers to sustainability.
Examples of successful integration include the Malawi Agroforestry Project, which revives indigenous tree planting for erosion control, and local NGOs mobilizing communities to blend traditional weather lore with mobile apps for early warnings.