Nkhata Bay, Rumphi and Chitipa districts in the northern part of Malawi have among others one thing in common – a hilly mountaneous terrain that makes farmers cultivate along slopes and river banks.

This scenario has for years been a cause for worry for the Northern Region Water Board – a local water utility supplying safe drinking water in these districts.

“As a water utility, we are experiencing declining water sources, increasing floods causing damage to our infrastructure and high degradation of our catchments.”

“Again, we note that communities around our catchments turn to forest resources for their livelihood needs such as illegal logging, charcoal production and unsustainable farming practices. As a result,  some of our water sources are highly silted, threatening our future water supply efforts,” explained Francis Munthali, Chief Executive Officer for the Board.

He added, “We know that if we don’t manage our catchments, we will not have water to treat tomorrow.”

But the threat is not only to the Board. Communities in the three districts are facing combined challenges of climate change and shrinking natural resources – a situation that called for local solutions that connect water management with agricultural productivity.

It is for this reason that stakeholders in the three districts led by the Northern Region Water Board under the African Development Bank funded Catchment based Climate Resilience Water Security project came together to develop a Water Security Framework that will guide sustainable water use, food production, and environmental conservation.

The Water Security Framework, developed through a multisectoral approach, aims to address water security by integrating the perspectives of key sectors—water, agriculture, health, environment, and community leadership.

“This is very key to our activities and will help us to not keep our eyes off the catchments,” emphasized Munthali.

For decades, farming practices in the districts have been heavily reliant on traditional rain-fed methods, which have increasingly failed due to erratic rainfall patterns. As a result, food insecurity has worsened, while water resources like rivers and streams have come under severe strain.

“This framework has responded to our needs whereas a district we have experienced serious challenges with environmental degradation, partly due to unsustainable farming practices,” said Davison Kaonga, Lands Officer for Nkhata Bay District Council.

The Water Security Framework therefore proposes solutions to tackle these problems head-on. From introducing modern farming techniques to promoting water conservation practices among farmers, the framework recognizes the need for a new way of thinking about water.

“We didn’t want to go to Government and say, ‘can you chase the people encroaching and having their livelihoods within our catchments?’. We thought we could coexist in training them, supporting them so that their livelihoods improve but also that they understand that they have a responsibility to take care of the catchments,” explained Munthali.

Central to this plan is the involvement of local stakeholders—farmers, village leaders, and district officials—who are actively engaged in shaping and implementing these solutions.

“This framework aims to not only secure a reliable water supply but also boost food production, addressing two critical needs in our area. The framework promises to be a game-changer, integrating modern farming practices and sustainable water management to benefit the community at large,”  said Clement Gonthi, Director of Administration at Chitipa District Council.

The framework is the result of a collaborative effort involving local government officials, community leaders, environmental experts, and agriculturalists. At the heart of this initiative is the understanding that water is a shared resource, vital for both human consumption and agricultural productivity.

“As stakeholders we realize that by working together, we can create a resilient and sustainable system that supports the needs of both the community and the environment,” says Rodgers Newa, District Commissioner for Nkhata Bay.

With climate change posing a significant threat to water resources, the framework includes measures to build climate resilience. This involves the implementation of projects that enhance the ability of communities to adapt to changing climatic conditions, such as the establishment of climate-smart agriculture practices and the restoration of degraded catchment areas.

“Apart from trainings, the project gave us seedlings including fruit seedlings to plant in our own backyards as well as degraded areas. We are also planting grass along slopes to control soil erosion. We will continue to nurture these so that we protect our catchments and secure our future,” said Group Village Headman Yeniyeni from Chalambweni Village in Chitipa.

Over 158,000 community members in the three districts have been provided with fruit seedlings  which they have planted and are nurturing in their respective areas with support of agricultural extension workers.

Ensuring the success of the framework requires the active participation of the community. Stakeholders are committed to engaging with local communities through education and awareness campaigns. These initiatives aim to inform

residents about the importance of sustainable water use and modern farming practices, encouraging them to adopt these methods in their daily lives.

“As a district, we have embarked on popularizing the framework, a key step in the implementation of activities in the framework.  We will work together with the NRWB and all stakeholders to fully operationalise the framework,” added Gonthi.

The implementation of the water framework is expected to have a profound impact on food production and water supply in the three districts. With modern farming practices, farmers can achieve higher yields using less water, ensuring food security even during dry spells. The restoration and protection of catchment areas will enhance water availability, providing a reliable supply for both domestic and agricultural use.

As district stakeholders continue to publicize and implement the water framework, the future looks promising. The integrated approach to water and agricultural management is not only a step towards sustainability but also a model that can be replicated in other regions facing similar challenges.

“The framework is speaking to the realities on the ground. It is not only speaking to the three districts but the whole country because what is being proposed as mitigation measures to address catchment challenges can be used everywhere,” said Sydney Kamtukule, Deputy Director of Water Resources in the Ministry of Water and Sanitation.

The water security framework demonstrates that with collaboration, innovation, and commitment, sustainable development is within reach. The districts’ stakeholders have set a precedent that emphasizes the importance of integrating water management with agricultural practices, ensuring that the needs of today do not compromise the resources of tomorrow.

“As Northern Region Water Board, we are sure that if we continue on this path, we will have adequate and sustainable water supply in our areas while improving our efficiency as we will not spend more on chemicals to treat our water to acceptable quality standards as we will have good quality raw water,” concluded Munthali.