Eta Msukwa’s and Building Climate Resilience through Beekeeping and Livestock

In June 2024, Temwa launched an exciting new initiative aimed at empowering communities in Nkhata Bay North, Malawi, by establishing five new beekeeping cooperatives and five livestock-rearing cooperatives.  Strengthening Resilience for Vulnerable Households (SRVH) is a one-year project that focuses on improving the climate resilience of rural households by strengthening their livelihoods and increasing their income.  

One of the participants in this transformative project is Eta Msukwa, a 59-year-old farmer from Kasasile Village, whose story illustrates the life-changing potential of the initiative. 

Eta, like many others in her community, has long struggled with food insecurity and limited income. Her primary source of income comes from piecework at a nearby macadamia farm, supplemented by farming and occasional remittances from her children. High fertiliser prices and limited access to water have made it difficult for her family to harvest enough food, forcing them to rely on buying food instead of growing it themselves. Despite these challenges, Eta joined the Takondwa pig cooperative in hopes of turning things around for her family. 

When Eta first joined the pig-rearing group, they lacked a clear business plan and knowledge of how to properly manage livestock. The cooperative faced internal challenges and struggled to thrive. However, with Temwa’s intervention, the group received vital training on pig management, including building proper pig pens and learning how to ensure the pigs are well-fed and grow healthily. Eta and her fellow group members are now well-prepared to rear pigs, and they’ve made impressive strides—mobilizing 2,600 bricks, contributing money for cement, and gathering 90kg of feed per member to support the piglets.  

Through the cooperative, Eta hopes to earn enough profit to start a grocery business, as her village lacks sufficient market spaces. Additionally, she plans to use the manure from the pigs to improve her farming practices, which will further enhance her household’s food security. Beyond her individual goals, the entire community will benefit from the availability of meat and the income stability that this cooperative will provide. As she explains, “Thank you Temwa for this intervention—we have learned so much, and we know we will benefit from this group.” 

The beekeeping cooperatives and livestock-rearing cooperatives are part of Temwa’s larger strategy to help rural communities build resilience against climate change. By diversifying income sources, such as honey production and livestock sales, households like Eta’s will be better equipped to handle the impacts of extreme weather events. The project aims not only to provide immediate economic benefits but also to foster long-term sustainability. 

As Temwa continues to support these communities with technical training and access to markets, the farmers involved will gain the knowledge and resources needed to thrive despite the growing threats posed by climate change. This initiative empowers people like Eta Msukwa to create a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities. 

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