Nine in ten people in Nkhata Bay North are farmers, and almost 60% of the population live on just over 50p a day. They depend on the land and local forests for survival. But poverty is forcing them to use these resources unsustainably – making the same problems worse. 

In the last 20 years, a quarter of the forest in Nkhata Bay district has been destroyed. At the same time, climate change has led to increased droughts and floods. The extreme weather and degrading land make it difficult for farming communities to make a living to feed and support their families.

Strengthening Resilience For Vulnerable Households (SRVH) Project

In June 2024, Temwa launched a new 1 year project supporting 5 new beekeeping and 5 new livestock-rearing cooperatives to increase their climate resilience. By strengthening their livelihoods and increasing income generation, the groups will be better able to recover after extreme weather events.

Building Climate-resilient Livelihoods

Temwa is supporting a 3 year project which works with the disadvantaged farming communities in Nkhata Bay North to build sustainable livelihoods that give families income and food while protecting the local environment. 

We train farmers in sustainable farming methods that help them adapt to the changing climate. We provide business training and support to farmer groups, which can then flourish into forest-friendly community enterprises. 

Read about our Farming Futures project in our latest report here.

Supporting Farmer Field Schools

Temwa’s Farmer Field Schools Project is designed to enhance food security for vulnerable households by training farmers in sustainable agricultural techniques, such as soil conservation and the use of organic fertilisers. These trained farmers then go on to train their peers, passing on their knowledge and skills. 

Read about our Farmer Field School project in our latest report here.

Temwa Carbon Balance

The Temwa Carbon Balance scheme offers organisations and individuals an opportunity to balance their CO₂ emissions. We do this through community tree planting, sustainable livelihoods and community-led stewardship of local natural resources.

You can read more on our latest progress here and balance your carbon here.