Malawi has gone beyond its tree planting goal, offering a boost to efforts aimed at restoring forests, protecting the environment and tackling the effects of climate change across the country.
Minister of Natural Resources Patricia Wiskes has said Malawi planted 59 million trees in the 2025/2026 season, surpassing the 41 million target.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe during the official closure of the National Forestry Season, Wiskes described the outcome as a major achievement for the ministry and its partners.
“It’s a very good stride as a ministry. We are very satisfied and impressed with the rate and the number that we have managed to hit. The target for the 2025/2026 tree planting season was set at 41 million, however we have been able to beat that number,” Wiskes said.
She attributed the success to broad public participation and thanked various stakeholders indicating that many non-governmental organisations, public institutions, and private individuals across Malawi showed goodwill and took part.
She said the achievement was not reached by the ministry alone and expressed pride in the high level of public interest in the national tree planting forestry season.
Despite exceeding the planting target, Wiskes said the ministry is concerned about tree survival, with the current average survival rate at 60 percent.
She noted that tree planting has often become ceremonial, where seedlings are planted and then left unattended without proper follow-up or care.
To improve survival, the ministry said it will introduce several measures, including setting aside a specific budget for aftercare activities such as weeding and establishing fire breaks.
Planting will also be limited to public land with clear ownership to prevent disputes.
In addition, Wiskes noted that some communities uprooted seedlings during the season, so the ministry plans to engage communities more closely to give them ownership of the trees and provide seedlings where there is need.
Wiskes added that no funds were allocated in the national budget for this financial year but the ministry is engaging stakeholders, non-governmental organisations, and development partners to support investments in improving tree survival rates.
“For this financial year, nothing has gone into the actual national budget. However, we are engaging stakeholders, non-governmental organisations and our development cooperating partners to invest in the survival rate,” she said.
The 2025/2026 National Forestry Season ran under the theme “Trees and Forests for Community Resilience” and was launched by Second Vice President Enock Kamzingeni Chihana on 16th January 2026 at Mpata Primary School in Phalombe District.
