The European Union (EU) has today launched a five-year €60 million Ulimi ndi Chilengedwe (UCHI) program aimed at financing preservation, restoration, and regeneration of Malawi's natural resource base and diverse ecosystems in ten district councils.

EU ambassador to Malawi, Rune Skinnebach, says the project aims to help diversify the agriculture sector and make it more resilient to climate change as well as generate revenue for the country's economy.

He says the country has not benefited from the agriculture sector due to the impact of climate change-induced effects.

Speaking during the launch of the project that will be implemented in ten district of the country, EU ambassador to Malawi Rune Skinnebach noted that the country is not benefiting enough from the agriculture both financially and productivity.

Skinnebach noted that the programmes targets to bring solutions on degraded land and fragile ecosystem, limited and poor nutrition among the citizenry.

"The way we do agriculture in Malawi is not making the economy to grow at all, we need to look at it's impact on agriculture. Let's provide elements that will support the agriculture system," said Skinnebach.

"This programme will help to make the agriculture sector to be more resilient and improve food production the citizenry. For that to succeed we need commitment from the implementing partners in Malawi," he added.

Minister of Natural Resources Owen Chomanika has called for prudence among district councils in the use of the funds to save the country's fast-depleting natural resources.

Chomanika revealed that Malawi is losing at least two percent of its natural resources through man made activities, among others.

"Only if this is implemented with prudence and due diligence, it will be able to give us a transformed natural resource. We need progress.

Among other districts, the project will be implemented in Chitipa, Kasungu, Mzimba, Karonga, Mulanje, Salima and Thyolo.