Local farmers in Malawi are proving their resilience to climate change impacts by turning a problem into an opportunity.
Faced with rising water levels and increasing temperatures, these farmers have innovated a new strategy - producing wine from over-ripe bananas. Farmers in the Karonga district, like Emily Nkhana, previously discarded or overlooked over-ripe bananas. However, due to extreme heat causing bananas to ripen too quickly, these farmers have found a profitable use for the over-ripe fruits. "We discovered how to make banana wine," Ms. Nkhana told BBC (original BBC article here).
This adaptation is not just about wine production. It's also about survival, resilience, and the potential to embrace new possibilities that come with a changing climate. Previously, these farmers planted bananas next to Lake Malawi's shores, but rising water levels forced them to relocate to higher, hotter grounds. Banana wine production occurs in backyards, transforming the banana pulp into a potent, aromatic wine with 13% alcohol - similar to grape-made wine. The wine, varying from pale yellow to rich amber, presents a slightly sweet, fruity taste, and a light lemon and banana flavor. According to local wine enthusiast Paul Kamwendo, "It’s smooth and light, almost like a dessert wine." BBC. This innovative adaptation is a testament to the farmers' resilience and capacity to adapt to climate change impacts. It's a good example of how environmental challenges can foster sustainable development.
Original source: BBC News – Accessed here: Banana wine: Malawi's growing industry to beat climate change (bbc.com) on 20/09/2024.
