Local Villagers Embrace Permaculture

As part of monitoring the Malawi U.S. Exchange Alumni Association (MUSEAA) project, Cultural Affairs staff Ulemu Malindi and Pamela Kuwali visited Kauma permaculture plot in Lilongwe. 

Drawing from permaculture lessons by consultant Kristof Nordin, and with the guidance of the alumni, the home based care community volunteers have planted a variety of crops that will provide a diverse and nutritious diet to the HIV/AIDS patients under their care. 

The volunteers are also using local resources including composite manure and a variety of indigenous crops on the plot.   The alumni are planning to hold a lecture series to teach the communities surrounding the plot about the benefits of permaculture in relation to nutrition and HIV, the environment and sustainable agriculture.

Besides the Kauma permaculture plot MUSEAA has other demonstration plots in Mzimba, Mangochi and Chiradzulu.  The four permaculture plots have gained significant praise by the local communities, as they stand out in comparison to the common maize fields around them. 

A group of international observers that visited the Chiradzulu plot described it as “exemplary and innovative”.