Tropical Agriculture Assocation Seminar May 2012

TAA-SW Seminar at Bicton College on Thursday 10 May 2012.


Agriculture in Malawi.

Report by Harry Foot on the Nyika Transfrontier Conservation Area.

After reminding participants of the role of the two Nyika-Vwaza Trusts (one in Malawi and one in the UK) HF recalled the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2004 at Chilinda in the heart of the Nyika National Park by Ministers of the Malawi and Zambia Governments expressing their intention to develop a TFCA between their two countries. He was delighted that after almost eight years of negotiations this objective had at last been achieved and the Nyika Transfrontier Conservation Area (NTFCA) was now in being. This was a 5-year project involving the participation of the two Governments, the World Bank, Peace Parks Foundation and Norway (Malawi) with the NVT (Malawi) being an implementing agency.

During the eight years of negotiations the original vision of a project area of some 20,000 square kms has been modified to approx. one third that size but happily both the Nyika National Park and the Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve still form part of the NTFCA. The Zambia section of the NTFCA has been reduced and now comprises the Zambia Nyika National Park, the Mitengi National Forest Reserve, and sections of the Lundazi National Forest Reserve part of which is proposed as the new Chama Nature Park. The original concept of a central Foundation with co-ordinating powers has been replaced with specific NTFCA departments within the relevant Ministries of both Governments.

Within the NTFCA project, NVT (Malawi) will continue to implement its established annual programme of conservation works as agreed with the Malawi Government’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife and the NV(UK)T will continue to provide funds for that programme. NVT (Malawi)’s responsibilities are being increased as the NTFCA budget includes some US$ 800,000 worth of new projects entrusted to NVT (Malawi) to implement, some of which are across the international border in the Zambia Nyika National Park Some help will be provided by the appointment of an Assistant Manager who will be funded through the NTFCA budget. This person will be based in Mzuzu with prime responsibility for Vwaza thus enabling NVT’s volunteer Managers to concentrate on the operations in the two Nyika National Parks. These developments provide the NVT (Malawi) with new challenges, especially working for the first time within an international project, but it is encouraging that an additional source of funding is now on stream enabling the conservation programme to be expanded. It is also gratifying that NVT(Malawi) is trusted to be an implementing agent of the NTFCA project in both Malawi and Zambia.

An interesting consequence of these developments is the boost that is being given to the movement towards a scientific approach to conservation issues. Already, as NTFCA requirements, environmental impact studies are being required before some projects are implemented and, very significantly, the NTFCA project includes funding for the establishment of a Research Centre at Chilinda. These changes chime well with the policy of the Nyika-Vwaza Trusts which have already moved to make informed decisions on scientific rationale by securing the support and involvement of 17 Patroni Naturae, all scientists or experienced nature conservationists.

Thus, with the reaffirmation by the two Governments of their commitment to the conservation of the NTFCA the future for its precious fauna and flora looks hopeful.