Model Village

Food security continues to be a significant challenge in Malawi, with approximately 4.4 million people, or 22% of the population, experiencing crisis levels of food insecurity. To address this, Opulence has been actively working in Senior Chief Chakhaza’s area, Dowa District, through our Food Security Programme, which promotes the adoption of permaculture practices to enhance food production and improve resilience within communities.

Since 2022, we have introduced permaculture as a sustainable solution to the food security challenges facing rural communities. Our approach includes the development of home gardens, the planting of fruit trees, the creation of food forests, mixed cropping, the use of manure, animal husbandry, and the construction of compost toilets among others. These practices are designed to provide a consistent food supply throughout the year while reducing dependency on external inputs and promoting the conservation of natural resources.

As part of our initiative, we have launched the model village concept, where every village practicing permaculture is recognized as a model village. This process begins with individual farmers establishing home gardens and planting fruit trees, which gradually evolve into food forests at the household level. Once permaculture practices are adopted throughout the entire village, it becomes a model village, demonstrating the potential for sustainable food production and community resilience.

The model village initiative is focused on creating self-sufficient communities where food security is maintained year-round. Through this initiative of cultivating a variety of crops and fruits, communities ensure a reliable food supply while also generating income from surplus produce. This approach also supports environmental sustainability by reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and encouraging eco-friendly farming techniques.

To date, we have established three model villages in Nzira, Nsangayambe and Chandiwo and, we are actively working to expand this initiative to other villages. As more villages adopt permaculture practices, we are confident that this program will contribute to long-term food security, economic empowerment, and resilience for rural communities across Malawi.