2 Million Hectares of Destroyed Land to be Restored

World Vision Zambia launched its Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration business plan on 23rd May to restore and regenerate damaged, de-forested and drought-hit land. 

Already, a quarter of a million hectares of forest in Zambia is lost as a result of deforestation. World Vision Zambia conducted a survey, and have launched the programme in response to its findings. 

The World Vision Acting National Director, Ngoza Kabaso said in a speech at the official launch of the initiative, “By promoting FMNR, World Vision and its partners will be helping to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and practical application, ensuring that communities are equipped with the skills and the resources needed to implement this technique effectively.”

The government has pledged its support to the initiative via the Green Economy and Environment Minister Collins Nzovu. He was represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Douty Chibamba who said, “about one sixth of our rural population depends heavily on forest and non-forest resources for their livelihoods and contribute approximately 26% to rural household incomes and this is the reason why land and forestry have to be protected.”

The regeneration plan will operate for ten years, and will cost approximately $50 million.