Linking Forest Conservation and Livelihoods: CCEI’s Beekeeping and Restoration Initiative
CCEI is implementing a restoration project in Nkhatabay, Northern Malawi. The project places emphasis on forest conservation and beekeeping, recognising the interdependence between healthy vegetation and sustainable livelihoods. Beekeeping was promoted as a viable Income-Generating Activity (IGA) and as a natural incentive for forest protection. In 2024, the project distributed 50 beehives to 66 farmers, alongside providing practical guidance and advisory support on both tree planting and beekeeping management. Through these initiatives, farmers were encouraged to adopt integrated land restoration practices that combine environmental stewardship with livelihood improvement. To estimate the area under conservation, CCEI conducted a GIS field survey. Among 16 farmers visited, findings indicated that each household maintained an average of 1.6 hectares of land under natural or planted tree cover. The project is funded by the Malawi Environmental Endowment Trust.