By Wendi Mkandawire
Environmental expert Dr. Isaac Mwalwimba says Malawi must overhaul its tree-planting model after data showed that only 60% of planted trees survive.
Dr. Mwalwimba, of Malawi University of Science and Technology ( MUST) Malawi Centre of environmental social and Sustainability( MCEESS), Coordinator, wants the government and NGOs to prioritize individuals and groups with a proven commitment to protecting trees.
According to Mwalwimba the tree-planting budgets must include a tree monitoring fund to check survival rates and support local communities in protecting seedlings.
“Organization’s budgeting for tree planting and seedling procurement must also set aside a dedicated tree monitoring fund,this fund will allow teams to return after planting to assess survival and address challenges”, he explained.
He further said that part of the money should also go to local communities to support them in protecting the tress they have plannted.
He proposed that giving people resources and ownership is key to the effective management of trees and natural resources, urging the responsible ministry to partner with universities to identify communities most likely to protect trees.
On Tuesday, the Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Patricia Wiskesi, disclosed that Malawi planted over 59 million trees and managed 8,142.94 hectares of naturally regenerating forest during the 2025/2026 National Forestry Season.
Wiskesi said the achievement reflects Malawi’s commitment to landscape restoration, climate action, and community resilience.
The minister’s remarks came as she officially closed the 2025/2026 National Forestry Season, held under the theme “Trees and Forests for Community Resilience,” highlighting the survival rate for the 2025/2026 tree planting season at 60%, stressing the need for improved tree care and stronger stakeholder involvement to boost long-term result
