NATIONAL FOREST LANDSCAPE REPUBLIC OF MALAWI The Ministry of RESTORATION Natural Resources, Energy and Mining STRATEGY
National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy i ii Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Foreword
2 Preface
3 Introduction
7 Restoration Opportunities and Priority Interventions 10 Agricultural technologies 12 Community forests and woodlots 14 Forest management 16 Soil and water conservation 18 River- and stream-bank restoration
20 Thematic Priorities using Multicriteria Analysis
23 Enabling Conditions for the Implementation of FLR Interventions 23 Policy and institutions 25 Key policy and institutional strategies and ministerial cooperation
26 Economics and Finance
28 Scaling Up Successful Restoration in Malawi 29 Agricultural technologies 30 Community forests and woodlots 31 Forest management 31 Soil and water conservation 32 River- and stream-bank restoration
33 Financing Restoration in Malawi
35 Monitoring Malawi’s Progress on Restoration
37 Action Plan
39 Works Cited iv Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining FOREWORD
The many challenges that Malawi faces from The strategy builds on the results of a unpredictable climate shifts and landscape participatory National Forest Landscape degradation require immediate attention. The Restoration Assessment (NFLRA) which was National Forest Landscape Restoration (NFLR) carried out throughout the country. The ultimate Strategy is a powerful vehicle that can help goal is to create enabling conditions, at scale, to address these challenges. Forest landscape that incentivize and reward the sustainable use of restoration can also assist the country to achieve natural resources. several national environment and development goals in a number of policies such as the National Broad engagement of the public sector, private Forest Policy (2016), the National Climate Change sector, traditional authorities and other local Management Policy (2016), and the National community organizations will be required to Agriculture Policy (2016), among others. successfully implement a forest landscape restoration in Malawi. The Government of Malawi The NFLR Strategy defines the inception point for is committed to support the will of the people a process of regaining ecological functionality and and cooperation among all stakeholders for the enhancing human well-being across deforested or restoration of degraded lands and forests which degraded forest landscapes. The Strategy outlines will put Malawi on a path to a climate smart priority opportunities and interventions that can future. translate the potential of restoration into multiple benefits such as improved food security, increased Together, we can achieve the growing demand for biodiversity, improved water supply, job creation, productive landscapes in a sustainable manner. income, carbon sequestration and enhanced resilience to climate change.
Bright Msaka, SC Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining
National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy 1 PREFACE
Malawi requires a restoration movement and a The focus of restoration on local “whole of government approach”—one that is implementation of national restoration goals led by farmers, communities, entrepreneurs, leaves a lot of room for local interpretation of investors, NGOs and extension workers, and activities. Through FLR local government and government officials responsible for agriculture, rural areas will benefit from increased autonomy forestry, finance, planning, and rural in restoration interventions that are tailored for development among others. The National Forest their local objective and interest. Landscape Restoration Strategy presents us with an opportunity to tackle two key obstacles in As presented in the strategy, the approach is not our fight against the impacts of climate just about planting trees since it involves tailoring change, poverty, food insecurity and water interventions to the context of a particular area in shortages—the deforestation and degradation of order to bring back or improve the productivity of landscapes. In the last 10 years, Malawi has landscapes that are deforested or degraded while experienced an increased intensity of disasters enhancing human well-being. The strategy should induced by climate change that has outpaced the help Malawi in the promotion of sustainable use government’s and population’s capacity to of natural resources, enhance the resilience of cope. Coupled with the climate change effects, ecosystems including agriculture that sustains land degradation has led to food insecurity, the lives of Malawian communities. Specific biodiversity loss, reduced availability of clean suggestions have been outlined on restoration water and increased vulnerability of affected activities and partnerships to drive positive areas and their populations to climate change landscape and social changes; and the strategies across the country. that can be employed to ensure that economic and social benefits of restoration are equitably The results of the National Forest Landscape realised and re-invested in Malawi’s economy. Restoration Assessment (NFLRA) have enabled Malawi to formulate gender-responsive national With nearly 8 million hectares of degraded and strategies to address the social, economic, and deforested lands across the country that can biophysical realities of both degradation and potentially be restored through a wide range restoration. By adopting Forest Landscape of FLR interventions, our legacy should not be Restoration, Malawi has the potential to mitigate measured by how much we did in the past, but by the underlying conditions of soil degradation how much we leave for the future. and nutrient depletion, and enhance the opportunity for obtaining greater output from degraded lands and forests through the approach.
Patrick C.R. Matanda Secretary for Natural Resources, Energy and Mining
2 Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining INTRODUCTION
Large-scale landscape restoration will create Increased vulnerability to disasters. Con- significant social, economic, and environmental ▪▪ ventional farming practices leave croplands benefits in Malawi that will include increased highly vulnerable to climatic shocks. In 2016, food, water, and livelihood security for many the El Niño–induced dryness throughout the Malawians. Restoration of degraded and defor- south and central regions of the country, and ested land has an unparalleled potential to use seasonal flooding in the north, resulted in a nature-based solutions1 to address Malawi’s decline in crop yields (maize, rice, and wheat) Vision 2020, Growth and Development Strategy by over 34 percent from the previous five-year III, and many additional components of cur- average (FAO 2016). rent agricultural, land use, economic, social, and conservation policies. With a population growth ▪▪ Lost revenue. Each year between 2001 and rate of 3.1 percent per year and an average annual 2009, land degradation cost Malawi an deforestation rate of 0.5 percent from 2000 to estimated $244 million (6.8 percent of GDP) 2015, food security, resilience, and biodiversity (Kirui 2015). Poor farming practices that will be increasingly important for Malawi as degrade croplands for maize, rice, and wheat reflected in many national policies. resulted in a loss of $5.7 million per year Impacts from land degradation include the (Kirui 2015). following:
Lower agricultural productivity. An estimated ▪▪ 29 metric tons of soil per hectare are lost each year, reducing productivity of croplands Forest landscape restoration (FLR): (GOM 2001). The ongoing process of regaining ecological Limited energy sources. Soil erosion and functionality and enhancing human well- being across deforested or degraded forest ▪▪ siltation from deforestation and poor agricul- landscapes. More than just planting trees, tural practices are hindering efforts to expand FLR restores entire landscapes “forward” to hydroelectric power generation, decreasing meet present and future needs and to offer an already limited supply of electricity and in- multiple benefits and land uses over time. creasing costs to consumers. This problem is compounding Malawi’s dependence on wood to meet energy needs, causing deforestation Degraded landscapes: Lands that have lost their productivity or to further exacerbate soil erosion and limit capacity to provide services to people and hydroelectric opportunity. wildlife. Declining water quality and availability. Lon- ▪▪ ger dry seasons and dried-up water supplies Restoration interventions: are impacting the Water Boards, which are Activities and actions used to support sustainable increases in ecological, responsible for supplying drinking water to economic, and agricultural productivity. Patrick C.R. Matanda urban residents, causing reductions in supply Secretary for Natural Resources, Energy and Mining and increased costs to treat drinking water. The damages to the water sector have been estimated at US$11.8 million (World Bank 2016).
1. Nature-based solutions (NbS) are defined as “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems, that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits” (https://www.iucn.org/commissions/commission-ecosystem-management/our-work/nature- based-solutions).
National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy 3 Figure 1 | Effects of Degradation on Malawians
Effects on Malawians Land degradation Local ecosystem services • Food insecurity • Soil erosion • Declining crop yields • Vulnerability to disasters • Poor agricultural • Fuel wood shortages • Lack of alternative income options practices • Waterscarcity • Increased water-borne illness • Deforestation • Poor water quality • Women and childen disproportionately affected
The NFLRA capitalized on the collective expertise Management component. However, FLR has a of stakeholders to generate a comprehensive positive impact on nearly every aspect of Malawi’s analysis of how forest landscape restoration many development strategies and programs. (FLR) can be leveraged to achieve the sustainable With an emphasis on restoration of degraded development goals of Malawi’s Vision 2020 and lands and support for policy shifts and incentive other national development strategies. Stakehold- structures to halt deforestation, Malawi is poised ers identified a number of national goals that FLR to achieve sustainable landscape management can contribute toward achieving (Table 1). at scale. The implementation of Malawi’s Vision 2020 will catalyze sustainable economic FLR will ultimately be implemented on millions development growth toward a technology-driven, of hectares of land within Malawi and presents middle-income country with an export economy a significant opportunity to achieve many of based on Malawi’s natural and human capital. Malawi’s sustainable economic development Key actions in Vision 2020 include developing goals, as outlined in Vision 2020 and the Malawi human resources and capacities, developing Growth and Development Strategies (MGDS II, products that can be made from locally available MGDS III). Within Malawi’s Vision 2020, FLR natural resources, increasing the attractiveness of most directly contributes to aspirations for the investments in mining, using a multidimensional country’s Natural Resource and Environmental strategy to increase the productivity of
4 Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining agriculture, developing the financial sector, household construction timber, fodder, edible and continuing to develop tourism in Malawi. fruits, and other nontimber forest products. FLR Increasing the supply of goods and services, can lead to an increased number of seasonal developing rural markets, and creating financial streams and more opportunities for dry-season investment feedbacks from these strategies irrigation. will allow Malawi to close its trade deficit gap, will improve human livelihoods, and will make With a strong commitment to implement FLR financial investment in Malawi more attractive. through the strategic actions outlined in this document in the coming years, Malawi can FLR can yield myriad benefits for agricultural develop into a healthy, vibrant export economy productivity—many of which are outlined in the that uses nature-based solutions and sustainable restoration opportunities assessment (MNREM, development strategies to ensure a secure and 2017)—and increase the supply and decrease the prosperous future. time burden of collecting fuelwood, poles and
Table 1 | National Development Goals targeted by Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy
NATIONAL GOAL FLR CONTRIBUTIONS TO NATIONAL GOALS Improve food ▪▪ Reduce soil and nutrient loss, restore soil organic matter content, increase and security diversify crop yields and cultivars, enable more efficient use of inorganic inputs ▪▪ Increase rural access to and availability of food by increasing the production of timber, fuelwood, fodder, honey, mushrooms, and other nontimber forest products that directly or indirectly contribute to the food security of rural communities Increase energy ▪▪ Increase supplies of locally managed and sustainable sources of fuel wood resources ▪▪ Decrease sedimentation in catchments of hydropower infrastructure to boost energy outputs Increase climate ▪▪ Restore soil fertility to boost yields, diversify farming systems and facilitate resilience adaptation of farmers to erratic weather patterns ▪▪ Reduce landslide risks, reduce consequences of flooding/extreme weather events ▪▪ Support ecosystem-based adaptation ▪▪ Reduce GHG emissions from agriculture ▪▪ Increase carbon sequestration Improve water ▪▪ Control erosion mitigation and reduce sedimentation quality and supply ▪▪ Protect source water from sedimentation Conserve and ▪▪ Contribute to more effective protection, accelerated regeneration and ecological restore biodiversity restoration of native ecosystems and threatened species across landscapes ▪▪ Help to restore the health of ecosystems and increase the flow of ecosystem services Ensure gender ▪▪ Promote women’s access to, ownership and control of productive resources equity and equality including land, water, and farm inputs ▪▪ Promote agricultural education and technical training for women ▪▪ Facilitate access to finance for women in agriculture Alleviate poverty ▪▪ Enhance sustainable management of forest resources and their contribution to the national economy ▪▪ Strengthen linkages between agriculture, forestry, and other sectors to ensure resilient socioeconomic growth
National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy 5 Figure 2 | Overview of strategy
WHO
Farmers Rural Traditional NGOs Government Private Partners communities authorities sector
WHAT
AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY FORESTS FOREST MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGIES AND WOODLOTS Improve protection and management Achieve at least 10% tree Increase area of community of 2 million ha of natural forest, restore cover on 50% of cropland forests and woodlots to 500,000 ha of degraded forest, and in Malawi by 2020 and 200,000 ha by 2020 and establish 100,000 ha of commercial 80% of cropland by 2030 600,000 ha by 2030 plantations by 2030
SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION RIVER- AND STREAM-BANK RESTORATION
Apply soil and water conservation measures on Regenerate or plant 20 million trees along river- and 250,000 ha and 500,000 ha by 2030 stream banks by 2020 and 50 million trees by 2030
HOW
EQUITABLE MOVEMENT BENEFIT POLICY GOVERNANCE BUILDING DISTRIBUTION COORDINATION
Reinforce landscape Expand communication Ensure increased Mainstream integrated governance by and outreach to share socioeconomic landscape management strengthening local information broadly benefits accrue approaches and bylaws for the use about restoration to communities increased support and management of techniques and benefits, and individual for implementing trees and other natural and to mobilize a households investing restoration in resources restoration movement in implementing development programs restoration at all levels
6 Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining RESTORATION OPPORTUNITIES AND PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS
The National Forest Landscape Restoration A geospatial analysis was performed to map Assessment (NFLRA) provides the best science suitable areas for each of the five restoration and knowledge on restoration at the national interventions and to estimate the national scale of scale in Malawi. The information contained restoration opportunity for each type of interven- in the report will assist stakeholders in mak- tion. In total, nearly 7.7 million hectares, which is ing informed and optimal decisions regarding 80 percent of the total land area of Malawi, has an interacting, and sometimes competing, landscape opportunity for restoration. The restoration inter- priorities. Through extensive consultations with ventions, their specific objectives and targeted stakeholders, field visits, and a series of work- contributions to national sustainable develop- shops organized at the district level, the NFLRA ment goals, and estimated opportunity area are identified five priority restoration interventions presented in Table 2 and described in detail on that directly contribute to achieving Malawi’s the following pages. national goals and help to resolve the major land use and development challenges associated with deforestation and land degradation.
Figure 3 | Illustrations of farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR)
National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy 7 Figure 4 | Estimated area of opportunity as compared to total restoration opportunity area in Malawi Estimated area of opportunity as compared to total restoration opporunty ara in Malawi
a a
Agricultural technologies 3,730,790 ha
Community forests and woodlots 753,471 ha
Forest management 3,401,279 ha
Soil and water conser ation 1,043,768 ha
Ri er- and stream-bank restoration 36,478 ha
8 Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Table 2 | Summary of restoration interventions and opportunity in Malawi
SPECIFIC RESTORATION BENEFITS PRIMARY ESTIMATED PERCENT OBJECTIVES CONTRIBUTION TO AREA OF OF NATIONAL GOALS OPPORTUNITY COUNTRY (HA)
Agricultural technologies (conservation agriculture, farmer-managed natural regeneration, and agroforestry) Increase tree cover on degraded, Increased crop yields with ▪▪ Food security 3,730,790 39% low-yielding cropland and pastures reduced dependence ▪▪ Climate resilience in agricultural landscapes through on inorganic inputs, ▪▪ Poverty alleviation farmer-managed and assisted reduced soil/nutrient loss, ▪▪ Gender equity natural regeneration, direct seeding, increased resilience to and equality and planting of agroforestry trees drought and other climate and shrubs; implement climate- shocks smart agriculture techniques, including FMNR, continuous cover crops, crop rotation, other agroforestry technologies
Community forests and woodlots Restore forest cover on degraded Locally managed, more ▪▪ Food security 753,471 8% customary land and nonarable sustainable sources of ▪▪ Climate resilience land in agricultural landscapes by fuelwood; increased ▪▪ Sustainable expanding area and improving access to forest products energy management of village forest areas for subsistence and ▪▪ Poverty alleviation and woodlots through demarcation, sale; reduced burden ▪▪ Gender equity strengthened community bylaws, on women in collecting and equality and agreements for protection fuelwood ▪▪ Biodiversity against uncontrolled cutting, grazing, conservation and fire
Forest management Restore forest cover and improve Decreased sedimentation ▪▪ Climate resilience 3,401,279 36% management in deforested and in catchments of ▪▪ Sustainable degraded forests, including forest hydropower infrastructure, energy reserves, natural forests outside protection of source water, ▪▪ Water quality and reserves, and plantations increased access to forest supply products for subsistence ▪▪ Poverty alleviation and sale, conservation of ▪▪ Biodiversity biodiversity conservation ▪▪ Gender equity and equality
Soil and water conservation Stabilize soils and increase infiltration Protection of croplands ▪▪ Food security 1,043,768 11% in areas with high rates of rainfall and water sources from ▪▪ Climate resilience runoff, erosion and source areas rainfall runoff and erosion; ▪▪ Water quality and for downstream sedimentation reduced landslide risk supply by constructing check dams, gully during high rainfall events ▪▪ Gender equity plugs, infiltration ditches, and other and equality rainwater harvesting and soil and water conservation techniques
River- and stream-bank restoration Increase tree cover in denuded Protection of source water ▪▪ Climate resilience 36,478 0.4% buffer zones of rivers and streams and decreased sedimen- ▪▪ Sustainable through natural regeneration and tation in catchments of energy tree planting hydropower infrastructure, ▪▪ Water quality and reduced impacts of flood supply events ▪▪ Gender equity and equality
National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy 9 Agricultural technologies crop residue or live mulch) and crop rotation or intercropping. CA is often most successful when Description of intervention combined with agroforestry or FMNR (i.e., inter- Agricultural technologies refer to any type of cropping with trees). intercropping of trees with crops and include conservation agriculture (CA), farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR), and agroforestry Cost-benefit analysis (AF). Trees on croplands stabilize the soil and Analyzing the costs and benefits to smallholder improve soil fertility, which helps to boost crop farmers who adopt agricultural technologies yields and increase food security, with the added shows that they would likely be better off in the benefit of providing fodder for grazing animals. long run than their peers who did not. All three activities generate additional benefits – compared FMNR is a specific type of agricultural technology to degraded conventional maize agriculture – of in which farmers do not plant trees but rather between 1.5 million MWK and 2.1 million MWK manage and cultivate the natural regrowth of per hectare over a 20-year period. Despite requir- trees on their farms instead of eliminating them. ing more labor than degraded conventional maize FMNR using leguminous—or nitrogen fixing— agriculture as well as additional material inputs, trees enhances the productivity of agricultural all three agricultural-based restoration activities land, and research has shown that yields can generate new flows of benefits that more than increase by 50 to 250 percent (Saka et al. 1994). compensate for the additional costs. FMNR is Natural regeneration can originate from multiple the most cost-effective and least labor-intensive sources, including livestock waste, root systems, agricultural technology in that it does not require or seed. CA is a type of agricultural technology acquiring and planting seeds or seedlings but that minimizes tillage and soil disturbance, and rather allows trees to regrow naturally. involves permanent soil cover (such as with
Figure 5 | Illustrations of conservation agriculture (CA) with trees
10 Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Figure 6 | Map of opportunity area for agricultural technologies
gric lt ral ec nologies pport nity y istrict a 0 600,000 CHITIPA TANZANIA KARONGA Balaka Blantyre Chikwawa ZAM BIA Chiradzulu RUMPHI Chitipa Dedza MZIMBA Dowa NKHATA BAY Karonga
LIKOMA Kasungu Likoma Lilongwe NKHOTAKOTA
KASUNGU Machinga Mangochi NTCHISI
DOWA Mchinji MCHINJI SALIMA Mulanje
LILONGWE Mwanza DEDZA Mzimba MANGOCHI Neno NTCHEU Nkhata Bay MACHINGA BALAKA Nkhotakota M OZAM BIQUE ZOMBA Nsanje NENO BLANTYRE PHALOMBE Ntcheu Legend MWANZA CHIRADZULU
District boundaries MULANJE Ntchisi THYOLO Agricultural technologies CHIKWAWA opportunity Phalombe Priority areas for: Rumphi Drought and food security NSANJE Salima Drought and poverty
Food security and poverty Thyolo ZIMBABWE Drought, food security 0 50 100 km Zomba and poverty
The map of opportunity area for agricultural technologies (including CA, FMNR, and AF) targets areas of annual cropland with very low or no existing tree cover. The map (left) shows where opportunity exists to implement agricultural technology interventions and highlights areas to prioritize for poverty alleviation, food security, and drought alleviation. The bar chart (right) shows the proportion of the district that is potential opportunity for implementing agricultural technology interventions.
National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy 11 Community forests and Cost-benefit analysis woodlots Cost-benefit analyses show that establishing community forests and woodlots generate addi- Description of intervention tional benefits to smallholder farmers of 5.7 Community forests (such as village forest areas) million MWK over a 20-year period compared to and woodlots are areas of customary or private degraded forest and woodlands with light agricul- land set aside and managed for wood and non- ture. The intervention requires substantially more wood products. They may be managed by a financial and labor investment compared to the traditional authority, a community, a family or degraded land use, but it creates several sources an individual. Community forests and woodlots, of revenue that smallholder farmers can benefit if planned and managed properly, can provide from. Importantly, smallholders can generate a regular, local supply of products (e.g., poles, short-term benefits from the intervention by timber, fuel wood, fruit, etc.) for household harvesting and selling fuelwood five years after consumption or for sale. Both through provi- the forests or woodlots have been established. sion of wood products and income, community Without this benefit source, smallholders would forests can reduce pressure on forest reserves and not receive benefits until the end of the rota- other protected areas. They also can substantially tion interval, 20 years later. When the values of decrease the time and distance traveled by women carbon sequestration and sediment retention and children to collect wood for their homes. are accounted for, the results show that the net present value of community forests and woodlots becomes larger by 2 percent.
Figure 7 | Woodlot in Machinga District, Malawi
12 Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Figure 8 | Map of opportunity for community forests and woodlots
o nity Forest and oodlot pport nity y istrict a 0 120,000 CHITIPA TANZANIA Balaka KARONGA Blantyre Chikwawa ZAM BIA Chiradzulu RUMPHI Chitipa Dedza MZIMBA Dowa NKHATA BAY Karonga Kasungu LIKOMA Likoma Lilongwe NKHOTAKOTA Machinga KASUNGU Mangochi NTCHISI Mchinji DOWA MCHINJI SALIMA Mulanje
LILONGWE Mwanza DEDZA Mzimba
MANGOCHI Neno
NTCHEU Nkhata Bay MACHINGA BALAKA Nkhotakota M OZAM BIQUE Nsanje ZOMBA NENO Legend BLANTYRE Ntcheu PHALOMBE MWANZA District boundaries CHIRADZULU Ntchisi MULANJE Community forest/private THYOLO woodlot opportunity CHIKWAWA Phalombe
Priority areas for: Rumphi
Market access + poverty NSANJE Salima Gender + poverty Thyolo Gender + market access ZIMBABWE Zomba Gender + market access 0 50 100 km + poverty
The map of opportunity for community forests and woodlots targets areas that are unsuitable or less desirable for cultivation (e.g., shallow soils and steep slopes) near village centers. The map (left) shows where opportunity exists to establish community forests or woodlots, and highlights areas to prioritize for market access, poverty alleviation, and female-headed households, where at least two of these priorities could be achieved. The bar chart (right) shows the proportion of the district that is potential opportunity for implementing community forest and woodlot interventions.
National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy 13 Forest management Cost-benefit analysis Description of intervention Forest management interventions require sub- stantially more financial and labor investment The forest management restoration intervention compared to the degraded land use, such that includes three types of activities: (1) protection the net present value is -4.3 million MWK when of existing forest (e.g., implementing fire preven- only private benefits are accounted for. Natural tion and control, and enforcing restrictions on forest management is most beneficial when it tree cutting); (2) natural forest management (e.g., is done on landscapes with low agricultural and natural regeneration and enrichment plantings forestry opportunity costs or in areas where the to encourage regrowth of natural forest); and public benefits of natural forest management are (3) improved forest plantation management high (e.g., upstream from Water Board reservoirs for sustainability, profitability, and efficiency. and hydroelectric generating facilities). It is also The benefits of all forest management activities most beneficial when it is used to restore for- include soil stabilization and watershed protec- est reserves and other protected areas that have tion, increased availability of forest products such already been gazetted and therefore, by legal as timber and fuelwood, improved biodiversity definition, have no opportunity cost. Similarly, and habitat for wildlife, and increased resilience forest management will be net beneficial in areas to climate change. The total estimated interven- with steep slopes that are in close proximity to tion opportunity area for forest management in important water features, like the Shire River. In Malawi is 3.4 million hectares, which includes these areas, the returns to agriculture are likely to 2.4 million hectares of natural forest protection, be low because the steep slopes make cultivation 820,000 hectares of degraded forest restoration, difficult and costly and, more important, reducing and 138,000 hectares of improved plantation soil erosion and increasing water yields in this management. areas will create large benefits for downstream
users, such as the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi and downstream agriculturalists (Wiyo et al. 2015). When the values of carbon sequestra- tion and sediment retention are accounted for, the results show that they compose as little as 3 percent of the net present value.
14 Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Figure 9 | Map of opportunity for forest management
Forest anage ent pport nity y cti ity and y istrict a 0 400,000 CHITIPA TANZANIA Balaka KARONGA Blantyre Chikwawa ZAM BIA Chiradzulu RUMPHI Chitipa Dedza MZIMBA Dowa NKHATA BAY Karonga Kasungu LIKOMA Likoma Lilongwe NKHOTAKOTA Machinga KASUNGU Mangochi NTCHISI Mchinji DOWA MCHINJI SALIMA Mulanje
LILONGWE Mwanza DEDZA Mzimba
MANGOCHI Neno
Legend NTCHEU Nkhata Bay MACHINGA District boundaries BALAKA Nkhotakota Priority areas for: M OZAM BIQUEBIQUE Nsanje ZOMBA Flood + mining NENO BLANTYRE PHALOMBE Biodiversity + flood Ntcheu MWANZA CHIRADZULU Biodiversity + mining Ntchisi MULANJE THYOLO Biodiversity + flood + CHIKWAWA mining Phalombe Forest management Rumphi opportunity Degraded & deforested NSANJE Salima areas for restoration Plantations for improved Thyolo management ZIMBABWE 0 50 100 km Existing natural forests Zomba for protection Degraded forest restoration Plantation management Natural forest protection
The map of opportunity for forest management targets existing plantations, existing natural forest areas either inside or outside forest reserves, and areas of recent deforestation from cutting or fire. The map (left) shows where opportunity exists to establish the three types of forest management interventions, and highlights areas to prioritize for flood mitigation, mining site rehabilitation, and biodiversity improvement, where at least two of these priorities could be achieved. The bar chart (right) shows the proportion of the district that is potential opportunity for implementing the three types of forest management interventions.
National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy 15 Soil and water conservation ability to access food during times of drought or low yields, and expand access to alternative Description of intervention energy sources and clean water. More than 1 Soil and water conservation interventions involve million hectares in Malawi meet the opportunity establishing small-scale infrastructure such as criteria for soil and water conservation interven- check dams, terraces, infiltration trenches, and tions, which is 11 percent of the total country area. contour bunds along slopes and hillsides for the purposes of regulating water flow during heavy Cost-benefit analysis rains to prevent intense erosion and gully forma- Cost-benefit analyses show that soil and water tion. These types of infrastructure are particularly conservation generates additional benefits of important where croplands are located at the base approximately 1.5 million MWK per hectare over of these hillsides and thus are more vulnerable a 20-year period compared to degraded con- to soil and nutrient loss and crop damage from ventional maize agriculture. Despite requiring heavy or rapid water flow. The check dams and more labor than degraded conventional maize terraces serve to reduce the force of water flow agriculture as well as additional material inputs, downslope while the infiltration ditches and con- soil and water conservation activities generate tour bunds absorb and accumulate soil and water. new flows of benefits that more than compensate Planting vetiver grass and other vegetation along for the additional costs. Smallholder farmers who the slopes also adds to the absorption and mitiga- adopted this activity would likely be better off in tion benefits. Soil and water conservation can the long run than their peers who did not. improve food security by improving households’
Figure 10 | Examples of soil and water conservation interventions in Machinga District: check dams (left) and infiltration ditch (right)
16 Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Figure 11 | Map of opportunity for soil and water conservation
Soil and ater onser ation pport nity y istrict a 0 180,000 CHITIPA TANZANIA Balaka KARONGA Blantyre Chikwawa ZAM BIA Chiradzulu RUMPHI Chitipa Dedza MZIMBA Dowa NKHATA BAY Karonga Kasungu LIKOMA Likoma Lilongwe Machinga KASUNGU NKHOTAKOTA Mangochi NTCHISI Mchinji DOWA MCHINJI SALIMA Mulanje
LILONGWE Mwanza DEDZA Mzimba
MANGOCHI Neno
NTCHEU Nkhata Bay MACHINGA BALAKA Nkhotakota Nsanje ZOMBA NENO M OZAM BIQUBIQUEE Ntcheu PHALOMBE MWANZA BLANTYRE CHIRADZULU Ntchisi THYOLO MULANJE CHIKWAWA Phalombe Legend Rumphi District boundaries Salima Priority areas for NSANJE flood mitigation Thyolo Soil and water conservation 0 50 100 km Zomba ZIMBABWEopportunity
The map of opportunity for soil and water conservation interventions targets areas of high erosion risk either on or near cultivated areas. The map (left) shows where opportunity exists to establish soil and water conservation interventions, and highlights areas to prioritize areas for flood mitigation. The bar chart (right) shows the proportion of the district that is potential opportunity for soil and water conservation interventions.
National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy 17 River- and stream-bank compared to the degraded land use, and as such the net present value is -4.3 million MWK when restoration only private benefits are accounted for. River- and Description of intervention stream-bank restoration is most beneficial when it is done on landscapes with low agricultural and River- and stream-bank restoration focuses on forestry opportunity costs or in areas where the establishing buffers of trees along streams and public benefits of reducing erosion and increas- rivers courses to stabilize the soil, either through ing water quality are high. Similarly, river- and active planting or natural regeneration. The ben- stream- bank restoration will be net beneficial in efits of these protective buffers include decreased areas with steep slopes that are near important erosion and sedimentation into waterways, which water features, like the Shire River. In these improves water quality and quantity. This prac- areas, the returns to agriculture are likely to be tice is particularly important in watersheds with low because the steep slopes make cultivation downstream hydropower and reservoir infrastruc- difficult and costly and, more important, reducing ture, where sedimentation is a major impediment soil erosion and increasing water yields in these to their efficiency and sustainability. More than areas will create large benefits for downstream 36,000 hectares in Malawi are suitable for river- users, such as the Electricity Supply Corporation and stream-bank restoration. of Malawi and downstream agriculturalists (Wiyo et al. 2015). When the values of carbon sequestra- Cost-benefit analysis tion and sediment retention are accounted for, River- and stream-bank restoration requires the results show that they compose as little as 3 substantially more financial and labor investment percent of the net present value.
Figure 12 | River- and stream-bank restoration in Machinga District
18 Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Figure 13 | Map of opportunity for river- and stream-bank restoration
Ri er and Strea an Restoration pport nity y istrict a 0 4,500 CHITIPA TANZANIA Balaka KARONGA Blantyre Chikwawa ZAM BIA Chiradzulu RUMPHI Chitipa Dedza MZIMBA Dowa NKHATA BAY Karonga Kasungu LIKOMA Likoma Lilongwe NKHOTAKOTA Machinga KASUNGU Mangochi NTCHISI Mchinji DOWA MCHINJI SALIMA Mulanje Mwanza LILONGWE DEDZA Mzimba
MANGOCHI Neno
NTCHEU Nkhata Bay MACHINGA BALAKA Nkhotakota M OZAM BIQUE Nsanje ZOMBA NENO Ntcheu Legend PHALOMBE MWANZA BLANTYRE CHIRADZULU District boundaries Ntchisi MULANJE River- and stream-bank THYOLO Phalombe restoration opportunity CHIKWAWA Priority areas for: Rumphi Dams/ reservoirs and flood mitigation NSANJE Salima Hydropower and Thyolo flood mitigation ZIMDams/BA BWreservoirs,E Zomba hydropower and 0 50 100 km flood mitigation
The map of opportunity area for river- and stream-bank restoration targets 15-m buffers along rivers and streams that have low or no existing tree cover. The map (left) shows where opportunity exists to establish river- and stream- bank restoration interventions, and highlights areas to prioritize for dam/reservoir management, flood risk mitigation, and hydropower potential, where at least two of these priorities could be achieved. The bar chart (right) shows the proportion of the district that is potential opportunity for river- and stream-bank restoration.
National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy 19 THEMATIC PRIORITIES USING MULTICRITERIA ANALYSIS
In order to refine the priority of FLR implementa- form the emergent priority levels indicated in the tion within each of the identified FLR interven- MCA can also be extracted from the analysis to tion types, a multicriteria analysis (MCA) was provide specific recommendations on the design applied to identify areas of functional landscape of restoration interventions into technical pack- degradation where FLR interventions could ages such that they address the underlying drivers be targeted to support increased food security, of degradation. resilience, and biodiversity. Using the MCA to help prioritize spatial investments in FLR, the five Priority actions to implement interventions priority interventions types can now be imple- identified in this strategy include the following: mented with specific attention to the severity and type of degradation in these areas, and the Rehabilitate degraded natural forests and contributions landscape restoration can make to ▪▪ protect existing natural forest stands near wa- food security, resilience, and biodiversity (see fig- ter sources to capitalize on flood and erosion ure 14). Furthermore, the underlying criteria that mitigation benefits and biodiversity value.
Figure 14 | Malawi landscape restoration multicritera analysis
Interventions Food Security Priority Resilience Priority Biodiversity Priority FLR Priority
=
Number of overlapping interventions 1 High 2
3,4,5 Low
This figure shows the sum of the three priority landscape restoration scenarios (food security/degradation, resilience/ degradation, and biodiversity/degradation) in the MCA (right) and the composite intervention map (left). The food security, resilience, and biodiversity priority maps demonstrate the highest priority areas for addressing each of the themes in dark red. The FLR priority map on the right can provide a useful guide for decision makers looking to prioritize restoration in Malawi irrespective of any one theme.
20 Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Prioritize forest management in areas with a As such, strategic investments in FLR interven- ▪▪ high risk of flooding, expansive degradation tions should account for the proximity among from mining sites, or high biodiversity value. related outcomes. For example, areas targeted for community forest and/or woodlot interventions ▪▪ Assist local communities in the formal de- should be strategically placed in areas where the marcation of community forests and in the expected benefits of this intervention will have development of forest management plans to social, economic, and ecological benefits. Addi- govern the sustainable use and decentralized tionally, river- and stream-bank restoration in key management of such forests. watersheds could be prioritized in areas impor- tant for increasing hydropower efficiency as well As a strategy for restoration, the spatial loca- as mitigating the risk of floods. ▪▪ tions of different restoration activities should complement each other such that practi- Through diversified FLR interventions and tioners prioritize diversity in approaches to the locations of thematic priorities for FLR restoration. The temptation to streamline demonstrated through the MCA, restoration restoration approaches to increase efficiency activities can be optimized in areas where their through a handful of approaches at a large benefits will address the drivers of degradation scale will conflict with the necessary com- and the social and economic benefits expected plexity of restorative activities. Care will be from FLR. This will require synchronization taken to recognize and plan for the flow of among interested stakeholders to come to ecosystem services across a landscape and to consensus on the functional attributes desired provide a diversity of restoration approaches from a landscape in both the short term and the that support the diversity of people and spe- long term, as well as a landscape restoration cies in a landscape. strategy that satisfies the immediate needs of people and their long-term resilience.
Figure 15 | Estimated FLR priority
Agricultural Technologies Forest Management Soil and Water Community Forests River- and Stream- Conservation and Woodlots Bank Restoration
FLR priority within opportunity area High
Opportunity Area
Low
This figure shows the estimated FLR priority (a composite index of each of the three input scenarios) calculated by the multicriteria analysis within the area for each of the five identified restoration interventions. This can be thought of in terms of “general priority” as it relates to the interrelatedness of priority areas for food security, resilience, biodiversity, and functional degradation. Within each intervention type, these data can help guide implementation strategies toward areas that would better support FLR interventions to achieve increases in food security, resilience, and/or biodiversity.
National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy 21 Table 3 | Combinations of criteria, or the occurrence of a single criteria, for totals larger than 100,000 ha for the food security multicriteria analysis scenario
CRITERIA, AND COMBINATIONS THEREOF, TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE HECTARES DEVELOPMENT OF FLR TECHNICAL PACKAGES TO ADDRESS FOOD SECURITY (ABOVE 100,000 HA, AT NATIONAL LEVEL)
Rainfed cropland 2,244,700
High poverty, poor market access 446,000
High poverty, limited nontimber forest products, few livestock 416,000
Low soil fertility 292,400
Low evapotranspiration, rainfed cropland 202,000
Sediment export, female gender balance, poor market access 151,400
Canopy cover loss, sediment export, poor market access 120,000
Low soil fertility, high poverty, rainfed cropland, low crop yield, few livestock, food insecurity 115,400
Female gender balance, few livestock 111,500
High slope, high/moderate erosion, low soil fertility, canopy cover loss, few livestock 104,700
Canopy cover loss, high population density, sediment export, rainfed cropland, low crop yield 104,000
Total 4,204,100
Table 3 provides an example of this strategy Similar approaches have been developed to for food security. While over 2 million hectares address resilience and biodiversity in Malawi. of rainfed cropland would benefit from FLR Restoration in areas adjacent to degraded key interventions designed to address the challenges biodiversity areas can both support critical associated with this land use, 416,000 additional habitat for species of concern and alleviate hectares would benefit from technical restoration threats and pressures on such habitats and packages that include interventions to address species through increases in agricultural and poverty, a lack of access to nontimber forest ecological productivity. Diversified restoration products, and a lack of livestock. A strategic tech- interventions, placed into this landscape context, nical package developed that produces tangible unite the intersectoral nature of restoration livelihood benefits, increases access to nontimber and expand the potential for social trust and forest products, and provides better access to economic investment in restoration. livestock would conceivably restore these 416,000 hectares using a combination of interventions that specifically address these criteria. The strat- egy is then to develop forest landscape restoration enterprise opportunities that build and support rural economies, production, and markets, and satisfy the aspirations of landscape restoration and sustainable development.
22 Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining ENABLING CONDITIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FLR INTERVENTIONS
Policy and institutions Develop economic activities and regional ▪▪ partnerships based on the provision of geneti- An important goal of FLR is to create landscape cally diverse and locally sourced seeds and conditions that incentivize the sustainable use seedlings for use in landscape restoration. of natural resources. Policies, administrative frameworks, and institutional strategies create Engage, capacitate, and formalize responsibil- the conditions within which social and economic ▪▪ ity of Traditional Authorities in land use and activities either exploit or sustainably use natural restoration planning and implementation. resources. The following strategic priorities show how policies and institutions in Malawi can facili- ▪▪ Integrate FLR into the educational curricu- tate sustainable development in support of forest lum on climate change being implemented by landscape restoration and the national aspira- schools in Malawi through the Department of tions that the restoration process seeks to meet: Forestry engagement with school administra- tors. ▪▪ Include FLR as a national priority consis- Strengthen establishment and management tently across newly drafted or revised policies ▪▪ of woodlots and tree nurseries on school and laws. grounds; assess and improve school and insti- ▪▪ Engage the public sector and private citizens tutional use of fuel wood for cooking. in a national conversation on restoration via Support multiagency and cross-sectoral radio, television, advertisements, and high- ▪▪ program design and implementation of land- profile events. scape restoration approaches. ▪▪ Build on supportive cultural aspects that have Align parallel initiatives within ministries a bearing on forest use (e.g., Gulewamkulu ▪▪ and among stakeholders on restoration, and similar cultural expressions) to spur biodiversity conservation, climate change, greater community mobilization and address fisheries, humanitarian aid, human health, cultural barriers to restoration. and economic and social development.
National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy 23 Table 4 | List of Malawi government sectors and their relevance to implementing and/or benefiting from FLR
MINISTRY RELEVANCE TO NATIONAL FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION STRATEGY Areas for military activity often have high ecosystem value due to their restricted use. Increased National Defense ecosystem services that flow from these areas reduce the potential for national and international conflict over resources.
Disaster and Relief Restoration reduces the probability of some natural disasters (floods, landslides, etc.) and can Management mitigate the intensity of other disasters (drought, climate change).
Finance, Economic The costs of degraded land compound with increasing population and reductions in crop yields. Restora- Planning, and tion can facilitate the creation of rural markets and new opportunities for the production of goods from Development sustainably managed landscapes, moving Malawi toward a technologically driven export economy.
Foreign Affairs and Restored landscapes in Malawi contribute to many international commitments, and successful International restoration will make Malawi an example of the transformational potential of nature-based solutions Cooperation to environmental and development challenges.
Labour, Youth, Sports, FLR interventions can be organized to engage large numbers of young people and labor and Manpower organizations and help to reduce unemployment and generate a lasting national commitment to a Development sustainable and prosperous nation.
Healthy landscapes that provide clean water and air reduce the prevalence of disease. Through Health increases in agricultural and ecological productivity, the negative health effects of low socioeconomic status are mitigated.
Gender, Children, FLR on millions of hectares of land in Malawi constitutes an unparalleled opportunity to ensure that Disability, and Social solutions to landscape challenges support approaches that ensure an equitable and fair distribution Welfare of benefits and costs among men and women.
Malawi has the opportunity to mainstream FLR into the school systems by developing educational Education, Science, commitments to restoration and employing recent technological and scientific solutions for nature- and Technology based approach to restoration.
Justice and An increase in effective governance at the national and local level reduces the burden on the judicial Constitutional system of legal conflicts from land and resource disputes. Affairs Through a nationally led communications campaign, and through the interaction with several other Information, ministries, the data and potential of landscape restoration can be communicated. Advances in Communications mobile technology and landscape monitoring also ensure that the communications infrastructure Technology of Malawi helps contribute to monitoring and reporting on progress toward a more sustainable and prosperous nation.
Civic Education, The engagement of civil society, communities, and cultural organizations in defining the importance Culture, and and legacy of national and local actions to build sustainable landscapes and economies can Community be led here. The development of local restoration economies and markets through community Development development will be key. This sector covers very important departments (Forestry, Environmental Affairs, Mining, Climate Natural Resources, Change Management and Energy) that are very crucial for the attainment of Malawi’s restoration Energy, and Mining goals. The mandates of these departments have a direct bearing on how Malawi makes progress.
Agriculture, Some of the main benefits of FLR are increases in agricultural productivity and crop diversity, along Irrigation, and Water with improved water quality and access that has a bearing on irrigation farming as well. Development Through the restoration of degraded land and forests, Malawi can support an increase in tourism Industry, Trade, opportunities at its natural heritage treasures. Broad landscape restoration also provides the long- and Tourism term natural capital to support increases in economic production and industry, leading to increases in technological and agricultural exports.
Lands, Housing, and The increased land use and tenure rights inherent in a comprehensive landscape restoration Urban Development strategy clarify formerly ambiguous land tenure and resource-use arrangements. The transport and public works sector will be instrumental in helping to define the economic, Transport and Public infrastructure, and transport networks for goods produced as a result of increased agricultural and Works economic productivity, at the same time ensuring that the development of transport and public works presents minimal damage to forests and land. The ministry will ensure that interests of both genders are considered in implementation of Gender landscape restoration interventions.
Local Government The focus of restoration on local implementation of national restoration goals leaves a lot of room and Rural for local interpretation of activities. Through FLR local government and rural areas will benefit from Development increased autonomy in restoration interventions that are tailored to their local objectives and interests.
24 Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Key policy and institutional Develop forest management plans for ▪▪ sustainable commercial firewood extraction strategies and ministerial and charcoal production schemes, especially in areas targeted for forest management cooperation interventions (forest reserves and other protected areas in particular). Finance, Economic Planning, and Development; Agriculture, Industry, Trade, and Tourism; Irrigation, and Water Development Natural Resources, Energy ▪▪ Shift domestic government budget allocations and Mining; Gender, Children, from subsidies for mineral fertilizers to Disability, and Social Welfare; support for increased extension services, Finance, Economic Planning, and training, and outreach programs to promote improved agricultural technologies; soil Development and water conservation; and other FLR Establish and/or support equitable benefit- interventions that promote improved ▪▪ sharing agreements that include provisions catchment management. to avoid elite capture and to ensure Increasingly redirect cash-for-work programs appropriately compensated community-level ▪▪ toward restoration actions (natural and build participation and governance. restoration infrastructure). Local Government and Rural Agriculture, Irrigation, and Water Development; Industry, Trade, and Development; Local Government Tourism; Natural Resources, Energy, and Rural Development and Mining Secure tree tenure on cropland and support Enable and empower Traditional Authorities ▪▪ local governance arrangements, including ▪▪ to work with the Department of Forestry community bylaws, to effectively ban and locally established forest management uncontrolled cutting of trees on farms and committees and associated user groups. customary land. Increase support for community organization ▪▪ and engagement in forest comanagement, Natural Resources, Energy, and participatory monitoring, and expansion of sustainable forest production and Mining; Local Government and management systems. Rural Development ▪▪ Improve incentives for adhering to existing In the long term, the cultural shift required to forest regulations that support controlled and build sustainable economies at different scales sustainable production of charcoal. in Malawi will require political and economic Establish appropriate incentives and investment and the creation of social feedbacks ▪▪ compliance mechanisms to strengthen laws that reinforce investments in sustainable and policies on forest clearing restrictions development. In this vision, the full faith and and for community forest management. confidence of Malawi and its citizens can be built Improve the transparency and accountability and supported in perpetuity with a dedication ▪▪ of participatory forest management and to the long-term vision for sustainability and forest comanagement structures, such as national prosperity and independence. block management committees and other bodies responsible for forest protection, regeneration, management, and harvesting.
National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy 25 ECONOMICS AND FINANCE
Restoration is a time- and labor-intensive Community forests and woodlots gener- process. Restoring degraded lands, especially ▪▪ ate additional benefits to smallholder farmers those currently under agricultural production or of 5.7 million MWK over a 20-year period intensive use incurs opportunity costs. The gaps compared to degraded forest and woodlands between the realization of economic benefits from with light agriculture. restoration and the realities of people’s lives have often been cast as at odds with one another. Natural forest management is most ben- ▪▪ eficial when it is done on landscapes with low However, restoring degraded land can include agricultural and forestry opportunity costs or short-term economic returns and the immedi- in areas where the public benefits of natural ate effects of restoration on agricultural yields forest management are high. and water quality can be substantial. Time scales Soil and water conservation generates for restoration are being reduced as approaches ▪▪ additional benefits of approximately 1.5 mil- become more diversified. Many restoration strate- lion MWK per hectare over a 20-year period gies and technical packages exist (and appropriate compared to degraded conventional maize ones will be developed for Malawi) that both meet agriculture. the short-term economic needs of landowners and build in diversified income-generating products River- and stream-bank restoration is based on ecological succession in the mid-term, ▪▪ most beneficial when it is done on landscapes all the while contributing to long-term public and with low agricultural and forestry opportunity private economic and ecological sustainability. costs or in areas where the public benefits of These diversified restoration strategies can be the reducing erosion and increasing water quality drivers of sustainable businesses and markets are high. that both restore degraded lands and create novel income-generating activities in rural economies. The economic strategy for forest landscape restoration in Malawi has been on the implemen- The NFLRA economic analysis weighed the costs tation of the five identified intervention types and benefits for the implementation of the five in locations where the costs will be reduced and identified restoration intervention types and the benefits increased. This will be based on the found the following: analysis of priorities that demonstrate where the economic benefits from these restoration actions Agricultural technology, when adopted will flow. It is especially important at this stage ▪▪ by smallholder farmers, makes them likely to ensure that economic benefits from restora- to be better off in the long run than their tion are provided in a fair and equitable man- peers who did not adopt it. Farmer-managed ner—especially in support of women’s leadership natural regeneration was identified as the and participation in restoration activities and most cost-effective and least labor-intensive initiatives and their access to and control of land, strategy. capital, and credit.
26 Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Table 5 | Total financial costs of bringing restoration activities to scale in Malawi
LAND USE FINANCIAL HECTARES TOTAL COSTS IN FINANCIAL EXCESS OF COST BASELINE (MILLIONS ACTIVITY MWK) (MWK/HA)
Conservation agriculture 50,400 200,000 10,080
Intensive agroforestry 200,500 200,000 40,100
Farmer-managed natural regeneration 6,400 1,800,000 11,520
Soil and water conservation 50,400 200,000 10,080
Community plantations and private woodlots 103,800 580,000 60,204
Natural forest management and watershed 96,500 1,520,000 146,680 protection
Total 4,500,000 278,664
National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy 27 SCALING UP SUCCESSFUL RESTORATION IN MALAWI
Considering the ambitious commitment to People will not adopt activities they do not know restoration—nearly half of Malawi’s land area—a about, perceive as risky, and/or lack the skills to coordinated strategy that is inclusive of Malawi’s implement. Many more households would likely national economic, social, and development goals be willing to adopt restoration activities if they as well as its natural resource and management knew about them, but poor extension and out- aspirations will be key. The following strategy reach coverage limit this potential. According to outlines how the results of the NFLRA can be the 2014 Welfare Monitoring Survey, only 17 per- operationalized for policies and institutions, cent of households in Malawi received advice on stocktaking and mapping, and economics and farm planning and practices, while only 7 percent finance. To create an enabling environment received information on forest and woodlot man- that fosters widespread adoption of the five agement (NSO 2014). In addition, gender gaps in intervention types identified for scaling up access to information and extension services can through the NFLRA and the novel economic contribute to the lack of adoption. opportunities generated through restoration enterprises, different ministries and sectors There are several ways to reduce the information should recognize that existing agriculture, barrier to promote more widespread adoption of forest, and climate policies for their sectors restoration activities. It is critically important to all contribute to the same goals. Landscape increase investment in extension, outreach, and restoration provides a unique opportunity knowledge-sharing programs separately designed to harmonize this understanding, especially for women and men to reduce knowledge and through the implementation of forest landscape skill barriers and promote adoption. Outreach restoration over the coming years. The scale of activities, like farm radio programs, can also restoration in Malawi and the interdependency reduce information barriers by discussing the of all sectors necessitates a coordinated and practical steps of implementing different restora- inter-departmental approach to this landscape tion activities and highlighting the benefits that strategy that is supported by a genuine national smallholders could expect to receive. The fol- restoration movement. Broadly, an increase in lowing strategies can facilitate the scaling up of technical support and training through extension restoration in Malawi: services on the components of this strategy will fundamentally determine the trajectory of Dedicate more resources to communication Malawi’s restoration commitment. ▪▪ and outreach about the benefits of restora- tion through rural radio, expanded extension Expanded communication and outreach are services, and support for NGOs to provide fundamental to the successful enabling of restora- community support. tion at scale and therefore a critical component of Malawi’s national FLR strategy. Real and lasting ▪▪ Expand support for farmer-to-farmer visits change in land use practices that contribute to and peer-to-peer training. degradation will depend on reaching millions of Mobilize Traditional Authorities and high- resource users across the forest and agricultural ▪▪ level political support to organize competi- landscapes of Malawi with key messages and tions, award prizes, and recognize local cham- information that prompts behavior change and pions who are leaders in adopting, adapting, mobilizes a new “restoration generation.” and innovating with respect to restoration.
28 Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining The systematic use of new cell phone technolo- gies, social media, video documentaries, radio and TV programs, and other information-com- munication technologies can greatly accelerate the widespread knowledge of proven restoration interventions. However, there is no substitute for the influence of family, friends, and colleagues in driving societal change. While electronic com- munication mediums can increase the range of a message, depth of communication comes only through personal interaction. Behavior change is based on personal experience and relationships. Communication strategies should revolve around the inherent trust that people place in their friends and family to spread the word of restora- tion, and restoration interventions should earn this trust from the people.The following sections describe the strategies for scaling up each of the five restoration intervention types identified.
Agricultural technologies To create an enabling environment that fosters widespread adoption of agricultural technologies, existing agriculture, forest, and climate policies need harmonization. These include the National Agriculture Policy (2016), the National Forest Policy (2016), and the National Climate Change Policy (2015). The National Climate Change Investment Plan (2013) also highlights agricul- Shift domestic government budget allocations ture as a key sector through which to enhance cli- ▪▪ from subsidies for mineral fertilizers to sup- mate change resilience, while Malawi’s National port for increased extension services, training Adaptation Programme of Action (2006) outlines and outreach programs to promote conserva- agricultural interventions aimed at boosting tion agriculture, FMNR and agroforestry, and women’s resilience to climate change. soil and water conservation.
Strategies for scaling up the adoption of agricul- Improve coordination between the Depart- tural technologies include the following: ▪▪ ment of Forestry and the Ministry of Agri- culture, Irrigation, and Water Development Prioritize for intervention areas that are the to align and increase resource allocations for ▪▪ most food insecure, highest in poverty, and tree-based restoration interventions on farms. prone to drought to maximize the benefits of agricultural technologies to increase crop ▪▪ Increase support for the development of more yields, diversity incomes, and increase the coherent and well-coordinated extension climate resiliency of croplands. materials and training programs for conser- vation agriculture, agroforestry, and FMNR. Dedicate more resources to communication ▪▪ Expand support for farmer-to-farmer visits, and outreach about the benefits of agricultur- ▪▪ al technologies through rural radio, expanded peer-to-peer training, and other capacity extension services, and support for NGOs building activities. providing training for communities. Reinforce the security of tree tenure on ▪▪ cropland, and strengthen the authority of local leadership to enforce community bylaws against uncontrolled cutting of trees on farms and on customary land.
National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy 29 Mobilize Traditional Authorities and Improve enforcement of existing forest regu- ▪▪ high-level political support to organize ▪▪ lations against the uncontrolled and unsus- competitions, award prizes, and recognize tainable production of charcoal. local champions who are leaders in adopting, adapting, and innovating with respect to ▪▪ Build capacity within the Department of agricultural technologies. Forestry and district government and in targeted communities to assist in the formal demarcation of community forests and in the Community forests and development of forest management plans to woodlots govern the sustainable use and decentralized management of these forests, with an accent Enforcing the provisions in the National For- on more effective protection and assistance of est Policy (2016) to conserve and develop for- natural regeneration. est resources for economic and environmental benefits through community-based forest man- Encourage community user groups, especially agement could significantly accelerate FLR in ▪▪ women and local entrepreneurs, to establish Malawi. The National Forest Policy also contains and manage woodlots as economically viable provisions to promote tree growth, including businesses organized to produce a steady sup- through the establishment of woodlots, as a ply of forest products. means of achieving self-sufficiency in firewood and charcoal. Provisions in the Environmental ▪▪ Mobilize increased technical support, such Management Bill (2015) are poised to promote as through extension services, to assist with community-based natural resource management. site and species selection, seed supply, site The National Land Policy (2002) presents the preparation and tree planting, and sustained legal framework governing land rights and has yield management and regeneration. significant bearing on the implementation of Complement local investments in establishing these policies; it includes provisions that the Gov- ▪▪ and managing community forests and wood- ernment of Malawi support community participa- lots with small grants and technical support tion in land management and communities’ right to strengthen associated forest product value to a share of revenue derived from any public chains and reinforce the economic returns land established on land managed by Traditional and incentives for communities and user Authorities, and that communities have authority groups to invest in these restoration inter- to protect land areas reserved for communal use ventions. This could include assistance with against encroachment and should manage com- the development of beekeeping and honey munity forests and woodlands. production, and value-added processing and marketing of a range of timber and nontimber Strategies for scaling up the establishment of forest products from community forests and community forests and woodlots include the woodlots. following: Establish appropriate incentives and compli- Prioritize areas for community forest and ▪▪ ance mechanisms to strengthen enforcement ▪▪ woodlot interventions that are in close of related laws and policies, in particular for proximity to markets, have higher levels of forest-clearing restrictions and for commu- poverty, and have a greater proportion of nity forest management. female-headed households to maximize the benefits of increased local access to forest ▪▪ Create and support institutions to extend products. credit to smallholders with an interest in investing in plantation forestry, expansion of Increase coordination between the Depart- woodlots, and value-added processing and ▪▪ ment of Forestry and school administrators marketing of tree and forest products. to expand the establishment and strengthen management of woodlots and tree nurseries on school grounds, which are required as part of the Ministry of Education’s National Cur- riculum.
30 Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Forest management Build the capacity and institutional support ▪▪ to ensure that forest management objectives, If enforced effectively, several existing policies management plans, and implementation could accelerate FLR through forest management. procedures take account of local development For example, the National Land Policy (2002) needs and priorities as well as other ecologi- includes provisions to prohibit tree-cutting on cal and socioeconomic factors. steep slopes, hilly areas, and watershed areas unless done under strict control and guided by Implement regular monitoring of forest selective pruning. The National Land Resources ▪▪ resource stocks and conditions with local Management Policy (2000) promotes tree plant- support. ing, natural regeneration, and conservation of forests; the Food Security Action Plan (2008) and ▪▪ Focus by Department of Forestry on control- Malawi’s National Action Programme include ling commercial firewood extraction and a focus on tree planting (of species that can charcoal production in areas targeted for for- increase soil fertility) and on promoting regen- est management interventions, particularly eration of native tree species; and the National forest reserves and other protected areas. Forest Policy (2016) promotes both regeneration Increase support and incentives for private on degraded land and improved management of ▪▪ investment to establish and manage commer- industrial plantations for sustainability, profit- cial plantations aimed at production of pine ability, and efficiency. and other saw timber and high-value forest products with lower-valued fuelwood as a Strategies for scaling up the adoption of forest by-product. management interventions include the following: Reinforce specific policy directives and en- Prioritize forest management interventions ▪▪ abling conditions with the aim of reducing ▪▪ in areas with high risk of flooding, expansive barriers to financing and increasing economic degradation from mining sites, and high incentives and market access for sustainable biodiversity value to maximize the benefits of and certified forest products from well- increased forest cover. managed forests and plantations, including sawlogs and charcoal. Improve the transparency and accountability ▪▪ of participatory forest management and for- est comanagement structures, such as block management committees and other bodies re- Soil and water conservation sponsible for forest protection, regeneration, Harmonization of cross-sector policies related management, and harvesting. This includes to soil and water conservation would facilitate establishing and enforcing equitable benefit- widespread adoption of these interventions. Soil sharing agreements, with provisions to avoid and water conservation are recognized in the elite capture and to ensure that community- National Climate Change Policy (2015) as vital level participation is appropriately compen- to food security, strengthened livelihoods, and sated, as well as provision for full participa- natural resource resilience and to achieving adap- tion and local-level accountability in decision tation outcomes. The National Climate Change making and governance. Policy also underscores the importance of good catchment management to boost water retention Enable and empower Traditional Authori- and soil health. For its part, the National Land ▪▪ ties to work in concert with the Department Policy (2002) encourages forest cover for river of Forestry and locally established forest headwaters and water catchment areas, while management committees and associated user the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy II groups. (2011–2016) promotes water conservation tech- niques as a means of achieving economic growth and development, and the Food Security Action Plan (2008) aims to build farmers’ capacity to carry out water conservation activities.
National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy 31 Strategies for scaling up the implementation of In addition, river- and stream-bank restoration is soil and water conservation interventions include overlooked in policies, such as the Energy Regula- the following: tion Act (2004), where it has potential to achieve goals including sustainable power generation and Prioritize interventions in areas where there biomass energy production. ▪▪ is high risk for flooding to capitalize on the flood mitigation benefits of soil and water Strategies for scaling up the implementation of conservation infrastructure. river- and stream-bank restoration include the following: ▪▪ Increase investments in training and assis- tance, such as through extension services, to Prioritize river- and stream-bank restoration establish soil and water conservation infra- ▪▪ in watersheds that currently have or could- structure that protects croplands from flood- have reservoirs and hydropower facilities, as ing and erosion. well as those with high flood risk. ▪▪ Focus the government public works program Dedicate more resources to communication (cash-for-work) scheme on soil and water ▪▪ and outreach about the benefits of river- and conservation activities in watersheds at high stream-bank restoration through rural radio, risk for flooding and erosion. These programs expanded extension services, and support for (especially the World Bank–funded Malawi NGOs providing training for communities to Social Action Fund and its Public Works Pro- aid with species selection and other training gramme) provide significant inputs that could needs. be more strongly directed toward restoration actions at the village level. Reinforce local environmental governance ▪▪ by supporting the adoption and enforcement of strong community bylaws to reduce the River- and stream-bank uncontrolled cutting of trees along river- and restoration stream banks. Harmonization of existing forest and agricultural Rehabilitate degraded natural forests and policies is important for enabling river- and ▪▪ protect existing natural forest stands near stream-bank restoration interventions at scale. In water sources to capitalize on the flood and particular, agricultural policies that promote irri- erosion mitigation benefits and biodiversity gation and cultivation close to riverbanks should value. be reexamined with a view to better alignment with riverbank protection stipulated in forest Provide seedlings and other material resourc- policies. As things currently stand, lack of harmo- ▪▪ es and associated training to encourage river- nization in these policies creates confusion about and stream-bank tree planting and regenera- where and how to protect and manage protective tion to secure water resources and mitigate vegetation adjacent to wetlands, lakes, rivers, erosion and flood risks. streams, and other water bodies. The National Land Policy (2002) is the vehicle to harmonize The extent to which the national mobilization of these approaches, as it includes a provision to both the public sector and private citizens citi- introduce buffer zones in areas where agriculture zens to undertake and contemplate restorative conflicts with forestry or grazing land. Stronger actions can only be achieved through an increase enforcement of riverbank protection measures, in honest dialogue and communication among including to counter cultivation of marginal areas, stakeholders. is also needed to realize the vision of the National Forest Policy (2016).
32 Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining FINANCING RESTORATION IN MALAWI
The results of the cost-benefit analyses of the Some key strategies that will facilitate the move- priority restoration interventions have shown ment of financial opportunities for restoration that the benefits of each intervention exceed the include the following: costs. Forest management and river- and stream- bank restoration are an exception due to the Support farming communities to use solidar- higher up-front investments of labor and capital ▪▪ ity and community lending mechanisms to as compared to the degraded land use. Currently incentivize communities’ own investment in Malawi expends significant resources on cash-for- restoration. work programs to support the poorest members of society. Increasingly these resources will be ▪▪ Create and support local and national institu- channeled into restoration activities to improve tions to extend credit to smallholders (e.g., landscape function. through the CSLP). Complement local investments in establishing Agricultural technology restoration interventions ▪▪ and managing community forests and wood- produce more private benefits than public ben- lots with small grants and technical support efits and will be supported by investments made to strengthen associated non–forest product directly by smallholders, incentivised by grants value chains and reinforce economic returns or loans to smallholder associations. Models for and incentives for communities and user these kinds of incentives are now emerging.2 It groups to invest in restoration interventions. is proposed that additional funding be mobilized This should include assistance in the develop- through private financing businesses like micro- ment of beekeeping and honey production, as finance institutions and other businesses that well as value-added processing and market- offer farm credit. An innovation in microfinance ing of a range of timber and nontimber forest is the Climate-Smart Lending Platform (CSLP), products from community forests and wood- which incentivizes climate-smart agriculture and lots. agroforestry while greening and mitigating risk for loan portfolios.3 Increase support and incentives for private ▪▪ investment to establish and manage commer- Some types of forestry-based restoration inter- cial plantations aimed at production of saw ventions, especially activities designed to improve timber and high-value forest products with sediment retention or flood control, gener- lower-valued fuelwood as a by-product. ate significant public benefits but few private benefits. Accordingly, forest-based restoration Increase economic incentives and market interventions that promote the creation of public ▪▪ access for sustainable and certified forest goods but lack conventional economic returns products from well-managed forests and may require financing through public funds or plantations, including sawlogs and sustain- novel investment schemes that generate financial ably sourced charcoal. returns on natural capital.
2. For example, the Community Environmental Conservation Fund (CECF) operated in Uganda and the Lower Shire Basin.
3. Climate-Smart Lending Platform (http://climatefinancelab.org/idea/climate-smart-finance-smallholders/).
National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy 33 Potential sources of revenue to fund activities International funds and sources for restora- necessary to bring restoration to scale in Malawi ▪▪ tion financing, such as development finance and capitalize a national restoration fund include institutions (e.g., microfinance institutions, the following: community development financial institu- tions, and revolving loan funds); the Global Reprogramming and realigning domestic Environment Facility, which distributes ▪▪ public funding through three main options: grants to developing countries that support actions to address critical threats to the global 1. Redirect food/cash-for-work programs environment; the Green Climate Fund and toward restoration activities. other climate-related funds, which finance climate mitigation and adaptation activities; 2. Reduce or remove subsidies that create and Official Development Assistance, a flex- incentives for overproduction or over- ible source of funding channeled via multilat- use of inputs that are high cost, such as eral organizations. Malawi’s fertilizer subsidy, to increase support for the integration of trees into Potential sources of funds to capitalize a national farming systems and incentives to protect restoration fund for Malawi included develop- and manage forests and agro-forestry ment finance institutions (DFIs), the Global Envi- systems sustainably. ronmental Facility (GEF), and the Green Climate 3. Establish a national restoration fund, as Fund (GCF) and other related funds established exemplified in Costa Rica, Rwanda, and to support climate mitigation and adaptation Guatemala, to transfer a portion of public activities. Malawi is well-positioned to mobilize tax revenues to a fund that finances GCF funding to implement its national restora- sustainable land use and restoration tion strategy and transform the agricultural and activities and to attract private-sector forestry sectors. Malawi received more than financing. $900 million in official development assistance (ODA) in 2014 allocated across many develop- National and international private invest- ment sectors. This assistance supports numerous ▪▪ ments and public-private partnerships that programs that would benefit from the impacts provide a return on investment in enterprises of successful forest and landscape restoration linked to restoration interventions. Although interventions. restoration business models are still in the early stages of development, where uncertain- National and international private investment is a ty can be high and therefore risk-tolerant in- further source of restoration financing. Interest is vestors are necessary, examples of potentially steadily building in leveraging funds from impact viable restoration-based enterprises include investors for restoration, and there is consider- sustainable commercial tree plantations and able scope for these investors to improve their improved nursery management for produc- understanding of potentially successful business tion of high-value seedlings, and value-added models and investment opportunities in small processing and sale of timber, poles, fodder, and medium-sized enterprises linked to restora- fruits, and other products from restoration tion. Investor roundtables can be organized to interventions. facilitate information sharing about needs and opportunities and to catalyze engagement by interested impact investors. About 13 percent of enterprises in Malawi sell forest-based products and could benefit from more sustainable sourc- ing of these products through an association with restoration interventions and improved manage- ment of trees and forests.
34 Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining MONITORING MALAWI’S PROGRESS ON RESTORATION
Malawi’s national commitment to restoration A key factor in monitoring restoration progress and the recognized international contribution to is the improved mapping of land use and land AFR100 under the Bonn Challenge are intended cover across Malawi. Malawi needs an accurate to accelerate action on national goals for restora- map of the current extent of croplands, forests, tion, climate resilience, agricultural and economic and other major types of land use/land cover, and security, and sustainable economic development. an improved capacity to monitor changes in land Monitoring the hectares under restoration is use/land cover. More attention needs to be paid important to drive progress in achieving these to tracking land degradation and understanding goals, but the impact of Malawi’s pledge on the drivers of degradation leading to changes achieving the goals of restoration is paramount. in the productivity of land and other natural This is less about counting hectares and more resources. Additional analysis is needed of the about using baseline criteria to measure and costs and benefits for specific restoration inter- monitor changes that can be attributable to forest ventions in combination with business models landscape restoration activity. and enterprises in order to more accurately inform the allocation of resources to support the The establishment of a monitoring system is implementation of restoration. Applied research important for the categorization of successful needs to be supported to improve the understand- forest landscape restoration in Malawi. A robust ing of the drivers of land degradation and the key monitoring system would incorporate informa- success factors for the widespread adoption of tion on (1) processes, projects, and interventions effective restoration practices. being undertaken; (2) incremental progress toward agreed-upon targets; and (3) the medium- and longer-term socioeconomic and environmen- tal impacts and benefits of restoration.
Figure 16 | Pairwise Google Earth images of cropland in Balaka district from May 2001 and July 2013 showing increased density of on-farm tree cover
MAY 2001 JULY 2013
National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy 35 It will be particularly important to track the these criteria are used in other existing survey adoption of restoration language in district and monitoring regimes should confer priority development plans and other regional and local for that indicator. Many development partners policy documents, in addition to this language in in Malawi are actively engaged in supporting national and international policy documents and restoration and are well-positioned to assist with statements. Key indicators to assess the impacts participatory monitoring and other forms of data restoration may include measurement on any collection for a robust FLR monitoring system. of the criteria used in the multicriteria analysis, including changes in the density of trees across Next steps for establishing a baseline and moni- the landscape (within and outside of forests, toring progress on FLR include convening stake- including changes in tree cover on croplands), in holders to discuss and agree upon (1) a core set of the quality and fertility of soils, and in agricul- indicators for monitoring progress toward these tural yields and productivity. Remotely sensed goals, especially using the criteria from the MCA; measurements of primary productivity in forest (2) uniform, coordinated methods of collecting lands and survey-based representations of forest data and measuring changes in these indicators; products in markets are other key indicators. (3) developing an open repository of collected These indicators may also include measurements data; and (4) communicating progress toward the of water quality and quantity, as well as changes achievement of Malawi’s restoration and develop- in species diversity and habitat fragmentation, ment goals. and in indexes of social vulnerability and climate adaptation and/or resilience. Knowledge that
36 Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining ACTION PLAN Table 6 | Action plan to accelerate implementation of FLR at scale
Agricultural technologies (CA, FMNR, and AF) Prioritize these interventions in 2018–2020
WHAT (ACTIONS) WHO (ACTORS) ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Achieve target of 10% tree cover on Farmers with support Farmers and rural communities adapt ▪▪ 50% of cropland by 2020 and on ▪▪ of rural associations, ▪▪ and adopt targeted FLR practices at 80% of cropland by 2030. traditional authorities, scale and participate in communica- extension agents, NGOs, tions, outreach, and monitoring. ▪▪ Develop communications strategy and key government to accelerate adoption of FLR agri- departments in Ministry ▪▪ Extension services, NGOs, and other ru- cultural technologies, such as rural of Agriculture, MNREM, ral development project implementers radio outreach and FMNR awards and others. facilitate exchange visits, peer-to-peer program. learning, radio, and awards programs. ▪▪ Government technical ▪▪ Mainstream CA, FMNR, and AF in departments and lead- ▪▪ Government leaders reprogram fertil- agricultural, rural development, and ership responsible for izer subsidies, increase budget alloca- in food security programs. policy coordination and tions, and secure rights of farmers and harmonization. communities to manage trees in rural landscapes.
Community forests and woodlots Plan and mobilize support in 2018 for implementation of first phase in 2018–2020
WHAT (ACTIONS) WHO (ACTORS) ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Increase area of community forests and Primary actors are local The Department of ▪▪ woodlots to 200,000 ha by 2020 and to ▪▪ communities, village as- ▪▪ Forestry leads multia- 600,000 ha by 2030. sociations, and traditional gency and cross-sectoral authorities. program with participa- ▪▪ Reinforce enabling conditions for expan- tion of key stakeholders sion of community forests and woodlots by ▪▪ Increased support to be responsible for land use, prioritizing transfer of management rights mobilized by extension community development, and securing benefits of community forests services, the Department of and management of land, and woodlots for local communities, village Forestry, and other techni- forest, and water resourc- associations, and forest user groups. cal services in association es. Together, these actors with NGOs and rural devel- organize and coordinate ▪▪ Engage traditional authorities, village associa- opment projects. design and implementa- tions, schools, and civil society organizations tion of special program to in championing and participating in the ex- ▪▪ Policymakers in MNREM expand areas of commu- pansion of community forests and woodlots, and other concerned nity forests and woodlots and in strengthening local enforcement of agencies to collaborate in as a main component bylaws for protection and management of reinforcing the devolution of national program for community forests and woodlots. of management rights integrated landscape and provision of techni- management and accel- ▪▪ Increase support from Department of For- cal support to local actors erated implementation of estry and extension services in demarcation, engaged in establishing FLR interventions. capacity building, and devolution of authority and managing community for local management of community forests forests and woodlots. and woodlots.
National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy 37 Table 6 | Action plan to accelerate implementation of FLR at scale (continued)
Forest management Plan and mobilize support in 2018 for implementation of first phase in 2018–2020
WHAT (ACTIONS) WHO (ACTORS) ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Improve protection and management of 1 million Comanagement and Specific roles and ▪▪ ha of natural forests and plantations by 2020 ▪▪ participatory forest man- ▪▪ responsibilities to be and 2 million ha by 2030; restore 500,000 ha of agement institutions in confirmed through deforested and degraded forest land by 2030; re- targeted districts. local-level consultations habilitate or establish 100,000 ha of commercial and participation in the forest plantations by 2030. ▪▪ Department of Forestry formulation of forest in collaboration with management plans, ▪▪ Target and prioritize participatory forest manage- district officials and tra- with a focus on formula- ment interventions in strategically important ditional authorities. tion of management forests where deforestation and degradation objectives, organiza- threats are highest and potential benefits from ▪▪ Private-sector inves- tion of interventions, FLR are greatest. tors and entrepreneurs agreements on benefit engaged in sustainable distribution, and provi- ▪▪ Increase support for community organization and use and value-added sions for transparency engagement in forest comanagement, participa- processing and market- and accountability in tory monitoring, and expansion of certified forest ing of forest products. implementing manage- production and management systems. ment plans.
Soil and water conservation Plan and mobilize support in 2018 for implementation of first phase in 2018–2020
WHAT (ACTIONS) WHO (ACTORS) ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Implement Smallholder farm- Land Resources Conservation Department in the Ministry of ▪▪ soil and water ▪▪ ers in collaboration ▪▪ Agriculture leads multiagency and cross-sectoral program with conservation with village associa- participation of key stakeholders responsible for land use, com- measures on tions supported by munity development, and management of land, forest, and 250,000 ha by extension services, water resources. Together, these actors organize and coordi- 2020 and on competent technical nate design and implementation of special program to scale 500,000 ha by departments, NGOs, up soil- and water- conservation interventions as part of the 2030. and rural develop- national program for integrated landscape management and ment projects. accelerated implement of FLR interventions.
River- and stream-bank restoration Plan and mobilize support in 2018 for implementation of first phase in 2018–2020
WHAT (ACTIONS) WHO (ACTORS) ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Regenerate or plant 20 million trees Rural communities organized in MNREM leads multi- ▪▪ along river- and stream banks by 2020 ▪▪ community associations to take the ▪▪ agency and cross- and 50 million trees by 2030. lead in implementing stream-bank sectoral program restoration. with participation ▪▪ Support participatory land use plan- of key stakeholders ning at local level to demarcate priority ▪▪ Extension services, with assistance of responsible for land zones for stream-bank protection and NGOs, technical departments, and use, community restoration. rural development projects, facilitate development, and local land use planning and provide management of ▪▪ Expand communications, outreach, and increased logistical and technical sup- land, forest, and wa- provision of technical support for river- port for stream-bank restoration. ter resources to orga- and stream-bank restoration. nize and coordinate ▪▪ Traditional authorities and commu- design and imple- ▪▪ Integrate measures in village bylaws nity leaders, with support of district mentation of special and reinforce supporting national regu- and central government authorities, program on stream- lations to demarcate, protect, regener- collaborate to reinforce bylaws and bank restoration. ate, and manage trees along river- and harmonize regulatory support for stream banks. stream-bank restoration.
38 Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining WORKS CITED
FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the MNREM (Government of Malawi, Ministry of Natural United Nations). 2016. “Global Information and Early Resources, Energy, and Mining). 2017. National Forest Warning System (GIEWS) Country Briefs, Food Security Landscape Restoration Assessment. Lilongwe: Snapshot.” July 6. Rome: FAO. http://www. fao.org/ Government of Malawi. giews/countrybrief/country.jsp?code=MWI. NEC (National Economic Council, Malawi). 1998. Malawi GOM (Government of Malawi). 2001. Country Vision 2020. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. http:// Presentation: Malawi. Report presented at the third www.sdnp.org.mw/malawi/vision-2020/. United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, Brussels, May 14–20. Geneva: United Nations. NSO (National Statistical Office, Malawi). 2014.Welfare Monitoring Survey, 2014. Lilongwe: Government IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) of Malawi. http://www.nsomalawi.mw/index. and WRI (World Resources Institute). 2014. “Assessing php?option=com_content&view=article&id=220:welfare Forest Landscape Restoration Opportunities at monitoring- survey-wms-2014&catid=5:report. the National Level: A Guide to the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM).” Saka, A.R., W.T. Bunderson, O.A. Itimu, H.S.K. Phombeya, Working Paper (Road-test edition). Gland, Switzerland: and Y. Mbekeani. 1994. “The Effects of Acacia Albida IUCN. https://portals.iucn.org/library/node/44852.. on Soils and Maize Grain Yields under Smallholder Farm Conditions in Malawi.” Forest Ecology and Kirui, O.K. 2015. “Economics of Land Degradation and Management 64: 217–230. Improvement in Eastern Africa: The Case of Tanzania and Malawi.” In Economics of Land Degradation and Wiyo, K.A., L. Fiwa, and W. Mwase. 2015. “Solving Improvement: A Global Assessment for Sustainable Deforestation, Protecting and Managing Key Water Development, 609–649. November. Catchments in Malawi Using Smart Public and Private Partnerships.” Journal of Sustainable Development 8 MFDP, DDP (Government of Malawi, Ministry of (8): 251–261. Finance and Development Planning, Department of Development Planning). 2011. Malawi Growth and World Bank. 2016. Malawi Drought, 2015–2016: Development Strategy (MGDS) II (2011–2016). Lilongwe: Postdisaster Needs Assessment (PDNA). Washington, Government of Malawi. DC: World Bank Group. http://documents.worldbank. org/ curated/en/640011479881661626/Malawi- MFRP, DDP (Government of Malawi, Ministry of drought-2015- 2016-post-disaster-needs-assessment- Finance and Development Planning, Department of PDNA. Development Planning). Forthcoming. Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) III (2016–2020). Lilongwe: Government of Malawi.
MOVING MALAWI TOWARD A CLIMATE-SMART FUTURE THROUGH RESTORATION
This restoration strategy and the National Forest national development strategies. The Restoration Landscape Restoration Assessment (NFLRA) provide Opportunities Assessment Methodology (IUCN and a comprehensive framework for achieving Malawi’s WRI 2014) provided a framework for stakeholder restoration commitment of 4.5 million hectares engagement and a consultative analytical process as well as the economic development, poverty to assess the opportunity for FLR in Malawi. reduction, increased food security, and resilience promised through successful landscape restoration. Technical assistance for the NFLRA and to develop Malawi’s restoration commitment contributes to this strategy was provided by the USAID-funded the regional AFR100 initiative under the Bonn Protecting Ecosystems and Restoring Forests in Challenge. Malawi (PERFORM) project; by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as part Findings from the NFLRA have informed this of the KNOWFOR program, funded by UKaid strategy and engaged a range of stakeholders in from the UK government; and by the World identifying options for forest landscape restoration Resources Institute with support from the German (FLR) to achieve the sustainable development Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and goals reflected in Malawi’s Vision 2020 and other Development (BMZ).
National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy 39 TIMELINE FOR PROCESS TO FORMULATE THE NATIONAL FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION (FLR) STRATEGY
February Launch of the National Forest Landscape Restoration Assessment (NFLRA) by the 2016 Minister of Natural Resources, Energy, and Mining
April Briefing working on the National Forest Landscape Restoration Assessment and 2016 nomination of members of the Task Force and Technical Working Groups
June NFLRA Inception Workshop with an orientation workshop on gender issues in 2016 restoration organized in Blantyre
Field visits and four zonal stocktaking and participatory mapping workshops June–August organized with district officials, working groups, and key stakeholders in each 2016 zone to identify land use and land degradation issues, as well as degradation and restoration activities
July Participation of Malawi in High-Level Bonn Challenge Roundtable in Kigali, 2016 Rwanda
August— Continued data collection for economic analysis, and review of findings from September zonal workshops and preliminary results of restoration opportunities mapping 2016
September Participation in World Conservation Congress in Hawaii and announcement of 2016 Malawi’s national target for forest landscape restoration
October Participation of Malawi in first annual AFR100 partnership conference and 2016 presentation of status of NFLRA and national restoration target
Organization of task force and working group meetings to review and validate November findings of FLR opportunities mapping, diagnostic of enabling conditions for 2016 restoration, and economic and financial analysis and to discuss implications for scaling up strategies
Participation in national workshop to scale up tree-based systems to increase January agricultural productivity and resilience to climate change and to contribute to 2017 Malawi’s restoration targets
February–April Finalization of NFLRA report 2017
April–May Formulation of National FLR Strategy 2017
June–July Adoption and launch of National FLR Strategy and NFLRA report at Southern 2017 Africa (SADC+) High-Level Roundtable on the Bonn Challenge in Lilongwe, Malawi
40 Republic of Malawi: Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining