Both ENDS initiated the program 'Communities Regreen the Sahel' and plans to continue for the next upcoming seven years. The program aims at fostering the natural growth of native plants, using trimming techniques. The regenerated plants will increase soil fertility and water holding capacity while serving as a food source for the locals in Niger, Burkina Faso and Senegal. We consider 'Communities Regreen the Sahel' a best practice example of empowering communities to improve security by targeting better management of natural resources, in an area known to suffer disproportionately from climate change and instability.
The program focuses on introducing local communities to a sustainable method of farming known as Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR). Through the FMNR, farmers will be supported and trained to grow native plants that will provide food for them and the cattle. Since it was introduced in 2017, more farming communities showed interest to join the program. Both ENDS and local partners aim at regreening 200,000 hectares, raise more funds, and create new policies so farmers can continue maintaining the lands in the Sahel.
This article was first published by Both ENDS on January 28, 2019.
Author: Both ENDS
The programme 'Growing buffers to ensure food security, livelihoods and biodiversity Programme 2017-2027' is funded by DOB Ecology and is designed and executed by a group of 19 organisations in four countries.
This folder has also been translated into French: Les communautés reverdissent le Sahel.
Within this programme, Both ENDS will keep doing what it does best: connecting local organisations to each other and to relevant national and international policy makers, scientists and organisations, informing them about current (inter)national developments relevant to their work, and advocating the incorporation of this method in local and national policies.
Together with our local partners, within the next 10 years we aim to reach the following:
1. A total area of 200,000 hectares divided over three countries) has been restored using Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration by and for communities.
2. There are laws, policies and support programmes in place in three countries (local up to international) that support Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration.
3. Farmers applying Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration are organised and have access to markets for (added-value) FMNR-products.
You can find the full document here, and the infographic here.
Photo credit: Flickr/Haile F