This document discusses the potential of Oxytenanthera abyssinica bamboo for combating desertification and poverty. It is a drought-resistant bamboo species native to parts of Africa that can grow in dry conditions with as little as 350-800 mm of rainfall per year. It can be used for many purposes including construction, fuel, fodder, and medicine. The document recommends its cultivation in commercial plantations to provide an income source for rural communities and reduce deforestation by providing an alternative to wood as a fuel.