By Jones Gadama
Malawi has closed the 2025-2026 National Forestry Season with 59 million trees planted across the country, Minister of Natural Resources Patricia Wiskesi announced on Tuesday.
The minister also reported that 8,142 hectares of natural regeneration were managed during the period, which ran from December 15, 2025 to April 15, 2026.
Wiskesi made the announcement as government wrapped up the annual tree-planting campaign aimed at reversing deforestation, restoring watersheds and building resilience to climate change.
The 59 million seedlings represent continued investment in national reforestation targets, with communities, schools, government departments, NGOs and the private sector participating in planting activities across all regions.
While celebrating the number of trees planted, Wiskesi flagged tree survival as a persistent challenge.
She said data from the previous season showed an average survival rate of 60 percent, meaning four out of every 10 seedlings did not reach maturity. The minister attributed low survival to factors including erratic rainfall, poor post-planting care, livestock grazing, fires and limited resources for follow-up maintenance.
“Planting trees is only half the work. Protecting and nurturing them to maturity is what will determine whether Malawi wins the war against deforestation,” Wiskesi said.
She called on district councils, extension workers and communities to strengthen monitoring and aftercare, including pit preparation, timely planting, weeding, fire protection and guarding seedlings from animals.
The 8,142 hectares of managed natural regeneration reported during the season highlight government’s push to complement planting with protection of existing forests and woodlands.
Natural regeneration involves conserving stumps and young trees to regrow without new planting, a cost-effective method being promoted in degraded areas.
Environmentalists and forestry officials present at the closure said improving survival rates is critical if Malawi is to meet its restoration commitments under regional and international agreements.
They noted that with climate variability affecting rainfall patterns, community ownership and proper seedling selection will be key to ensuring planted trees survive beyond the first year.
District councils have been urged to integrate tree care into local development plans and to mobilize resources for protection beyond the official planting season.
Wiskesi said the Ministry of Natural Resources will continue working with partners to provide technical support, seedlings and training to communities, while also enforcing laws against illegal cutting of trees.
As the 2026-2027 season approaches, government says focus will shift from numbers planted to measurable survival and forest cover increase.
For Malawi, the success of the forestry season will ultimately be judged not by seedlings in the ground in April, but by standing trees during the next dry season.
