What Factors Influence Community Participation in Afforestation Activities ? Case of Nathenje Area in Lilongwe District in Malawi

The rationale of this study was to determine factors influencing community participation in afforestation activities in Nathenje area in Lilongwe district in central Malawi. The rationale of this study was to determine factors influencing community participation in afforestation activities. Simple random sampling was used to select 120 local community members as respondents for the study. Data collection was carried out using semistructured interviews, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Results showed a strong positive significant relationship between age and community participation in afforestation activities (P < 0.001) and (r =0.657). A weak positive significant relationship was also observed between occupation of respondents and community participation (P < 0.032) and (r= 0.460). Participation was also found to be heavily influenced by the anticipated benefits (P < 0.001) and (r= 0.846). Firewood was noted to be the most common forest resource obtained by the respondents (42%: 50/120). Arson fire was noted to be the most prevalent challenge for afforestation in the study area. It is recommended that forest policy makers and programme planners need to train and involve more young people in afforestation since results showed that elderly people were the ones who were currently participating. There is also need to reduce fuel load in the forests and woodlots to reduce cases of arson fires.