The 2025 to 2026 tree planting programme begins

As the 2025-2026 tree planting season approaches, Mbedza’s Environmental team is preparing for another fruitful year. With planting scheduled to begin on December 21, 2025, the project has already started training participants in various villages to prepare them for the upcoming season.

Seeds are expected to be planted from July/August, and a well structured nursery garden determines success. The top qualities of a nursery garden include a fenced area, flat land , proximity to houses for security, and an open field for sun absorption.

According to the project manager , Richard Malili, last season's challenges such as soil conditions in areas like Chilambe village, affected the growth rate of certain seedlings, like the Mchekeche tree. However, measures have been taken to ensure better germination rates this season.

The funding that Mbedza had available and the impacts of high inflation meant we were only able to select six villages for the nursery garden project this year, down from previous years. These villages, five in Zomba and one in Monkey Bay, are expected to yield 30,500 trees. The selected villages were chosen based on their past performance and contribution to nursery gardens and woodlots. The project manager admitted that selecting the top six villages was challenging, as almost all nursery gardens and woodlots performed well last season. You will not be surprised that many more villages are crying out for this opportunity.

Seedlings in nursery gardens and woodlots face various challenges, including pests, diseases, improper watering, and inadequate light. In woodlots, the most common challenge is provenance, the origin of the seedling, that is why seed selection considers the location where the seed was sourced.

The six selected villages are Mategula(6000 tubes) Mchinjo(6000), Chilambe(4000), Mbewe(5500), Kagwa(5600), and Machilika(3400 tubes) in Monkey Bay. Each village has received tubes and farming equipment, including wheelbarrows, shovels, slashers, and hoes, to help in soil transportation and seedling care. The villages have expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the nursery garden project and are eager to work with Mbedza to achieve its goal of creating a sustainable environment. Mbedza remains committed to supporting the Malawi government's environmental conservation efforts. Pictures from Mategula, Mchinjo (Malemusi) and Chilambe Village.