Through the project that is being implemented in three traditional authorities in the district, authorities have been promoting bee keeping, afforestation, and goat pass-on and irrigation farming amid provision of solar panels to some beneficiaries.

One beneficiary, Mary Kenesi of Maliro village in the area of Traditional Authority Mizinga in the district says through the goats she received in the project’s second phase, she is now generating manure for her farming business.

“Nowadays, it’s easy for me to produce manure which I get through my goat farming. I hope soon I will be able to pay fees for my children as I am now having more yields,’’ noted Kenesi.

Another beneficiary, Enifa Justin of the same village, says after passing on the five goats she received from the Transform Project she has so far managed to reconstruct her house, adding that she used to face economic woes before the project was implemented.

Traditional Authority Mizinga of the area says the project has reduced effects of harsh weather and natural disasters such as flood through tree planting campaigns adding that the living standards of the villagers have improved.

Mizinga says his people are committed to ensure there is sustainability of the project after its exit.

“We are not relenting in the sustainability of this project, together with my people we have seen the positives of the project,” said Mizinga.

He, however, noted that Cyclone Freddy affected part of the project early this year as most rice schemes were submerged in water, hence calling for support for winter cropping.

“Our schemes including the one under the Transform Project were affected by heavy flooding of Lake Chilwa induced by cyclone Freddy, which has been a setback to the project in the area,” he lamented.

Meanwhile, district environmental officer for Machinga, Andrew Kaitano Hamuza says the project targets to reach ten thousand beneficiaries who are also participating in reducing carbon emissions through the use of alternative cooking stoves.

He has noted that the number of trees being cut in impact areas of the project have drastically reduced following the implementation of the.

“We have seen reduced pressure on natural resources in this area and we hope the trend will continue, as the district has been one of the areas where deforestation was on the increase.

Secretary for Tiyanjane bee keeping club says they have so far generated over K150 000 from their honey business which they were given beehives from the project.

The Transform Project is also being implemented in Phalombe and Zomba.