Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Owen Chomanika, has emphasized the urgent need to restore forest cover across Malawi as a critical step toward achieving sustainable food production and increasing crop yields.

Chomanika made the remarks in Lilongwe on Wednesday during the commemoration of this year’s World Forest Day, held under the theme “Restore Forests and Land to Secure Food Production.”

Speaking to YFM, the minister expressed concern over continued deforestation by communities, noting that the destruction of forests has led to erratic rainfall patterns and poor harvests, pushing many households into hunger.