As the worries of El-Nino weather conditions continue to grow, Rainwater Harvesting Association of Malawi (RHAM) says Malawi has the capacity to harvest more than 90 billion cubic metres of rainwater, which could assist to improve farmers’ livelihoods.

RHAM Vice-President Augustine Masamba says increased investment in rainwater harvesting could be a key source of water for agricultural and other livelihood activities adding that the just launched water harvesting campaign is vital.

He said the huge volume of rainfall which the country receives provides an opportunity that should be fully used to resolve water hiccups.

Meanwhile, Head of the Department of Public and Environmental Health Sciences at Malawi University of Business and Applied sciences (MUBAS) Save Kumwenda commended students for taking part in water harvesting initiatives aimed at finding solutions to climate change challenges.

Kumwenda said the involvement of students demonstrates the important role of academic institutions in developing practical responses to environmental challenges.

Mayor for Blantyre city, Isaac Jomo Osman said Malawi should learn from other countries when implementing rainwater harvesting projects.

The mayor then encouraged stakeholders to consider successful approaches from elsewhere and adapt them to the country’s circumstances.

This comes when authorities launched the Tikolole Madzi a Mvula campaign, an event which took place at MUBAS in Blantyre.

The campaign seeks to promote rainwater harvesting as one way of helping communities prepare for challenges associated with climate change, including possible El Niño weather conditions.

Musician Zeze Kingston, who is the campaign’s brand ambassador, also attended the launch at MUBAS and performed for the participants.

The Tikolole Madzi a Mvula campaign is aimed at encouraging the adoption of rainwater harvesting as part of efforts to improve water security and build resilience to climate change.