he World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) With support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has upgraded and mechanized 27 boreholes in Nyimba, Petauke and Lusangazi Districts of Eastern Province.
WWF Business Incubation Officer Philip Miyoba said the borehole mechanisation exercise was a drought response action after the drought experienced in the 2023/2024 farming season.
“To improve production at community level, the project has engaged the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation to mechanize the boreholes. So, across the three districts we have 27 boreholes that have been mechanized and upgraded from hand pump to solar systems,” he said.
Mr Miyoba also indicated that the institution was drilling 16 exploratory boreholes for ground water monitoring adding that, the project has produced three aquifer maps for the three districts.
“We have 16 exploratory boreholes that have been drilled in the three districts. These boreholes will help give the relevant stakeholders essential information on the groundwater mapping in the three districts,” he said.
Further, Mr Miyoba disclosed that about 4,000 hectares of land have been preserved through the various Community Forest Management Groups (CFMGs) his institution was supporting.
“In Nyimba, we have three CFMGs, in Petauke we have one and in Lusangazi we also have three. So, the total area that these communities have committed to sustainably manage is 4,000 hactares,” he said.
