Africa's Regreening: Its Integral Role in Increasing Agricultural Productivity and Strengthening Resiliency

Africa’s Regreening: Its Integral Role in Increasing Agricultural Productivity and Strengthening Resiliency Mike McGahuey EGAT/NRM/USAID World Resources Institute’s Symposium on Regreening March 1, 2012

What is Regreening and Its Significance?• Rainfall capture technologies – Burkina Faso– 300,000 ha – Niger—200,000 ha – Mali—100,000 ha• On-Farm Forestry – Niger- 5.0 million ha – Mali—500,000 ha – Zambia and Malawi—280K HH’s

Two Key Challenges Facing Africa’s Dryland Smallholders• Rainfall Variability: Rainfall variability is a greater challenge than absolute amount of rainfall• Weathered Soils: Over 80% of Africa’s soils have major productivity constraints (Breman, et.al, 2007) – Naturally low in nutrients – Low capacity to retain nutrients  Benefits of mineral fertilizers marginalized Both of these challenges have been addressed at scale by initiatives that set the stage for more intensified agriculture

Climate Change Will Exacerbate Rainfall Variability• More intensive rainfall events  More run-off (currently estimated at 25-50%)• Longer intervals between events  Root zone desiccation at critical times• Changing rainfall patterns  Shortened season or elimination of season Innovative rainfall management technologies have allowed farmers to successfully adapt to greater variability

Combating Rainfall Variability by Slowing Run-off and Increasing Infiltration Ridge Tillage in MaliIncreased: Results:•Infiltration by 66% • 30-50% yield increase•Soil moisture by 17%•Fertilizer-use Efficiency by  • Water table recharged • Tree Crop Production • Winter Gardens30%

Dry Season Gardens: A Dividend of Rainwater Management • Higher water table allows dry season irrigation; • Higher prices for counter-season produce; • New and additional sources of revenue and nutritious foods. • Resilience StrengthenedSorofin Diarra irrigates her garden while daughters Batama, Youma and Nieba observe. Currently, 80%of Siguidolo households have gardens compared to none 12 years ago before ACN was introduced.(ACN Brochure, Soils Management CRSP)

High-Value Field Trees: Additional Source of Revenue and NutritionREJUVENATED LAND: Dr. Doumbia (left) and farmer Zan Diarra observe a baobabtree that regenerated following the establishment of ACN.

Soil Organic Matter (SOM) And Fertilizer-use Efficiency (FUE) On Weathered Soils Pieri, C; 1989, Fertilite des Terres de Savannes; p. 249 CIRDAD,

Addressing Challenges through Mixed Production SystemsBenefits of Perennials•Increases Soil Organic Matter • Higher fertilizer-use efficiency • Improved green-water productivity•Recycles nutrients•Enhances drought resilience•Provides alternative income when annual crops fail.

Agroforestry: Source of Drought- Resistant ProductsHigh value browse High-valuefor livestock construction poles

Changing AttitudesProspects about food security in year following the 2004/05 Drought (Tahirou et Ibro; 2006, Analyse des Impacts Socio-Economiques des Investissements dans le GRN: Etude de Cas dans les Regions de Maradi, Tahoua, et Tillabery au Niger) Increase Decrease No ChangeVillages with 70% 23% 7%NRMVillages 17% 50% 33%w/out NRM

Illustrative Yield Data on Integrated SystemsSystem Cereal’s Yield Range Resiliency Level in the Sahel Sustained over TimeRegreening + External 2 to 3+ tons/ha HighInputsExternal Inputs only 450-variable kg/ha LoRegreening only 450 to 1,000 kg/ha HighNo treatments 100-500 kg/ha Variable

Summary of FindingsFor much of Africa, evidence shows the following:• A high correlation between productivity and resilience and – Rainfall capture – Soil organic matter levels.• Best results achieved from using external inputs (fertilizer, improved seed) in tandem with sound soil and water management practices.• Diverse farming systems are typically more productive and resilient than single crop systems• In many places in the Sahel, helplessness has been replaced by hopefulness

Africa's Regreening: Its Integral Role in Increasing Agricultural Productivity and Strengthening Resiliency

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Africa’s Regreening: Its Integral Role in Increasing Agricultural Productivity and Strengthening Resiliency Presentation Transcript