Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration Enhances Rural Livelihoods in Dryland West Africa

BACKGROUND

Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration, (FMNR), has been adopted in the drylands of West Africa, i.e., the northernmost region of Ghana. This is an approach which encourages the regeneration of woody plant cover in farming and mixed land use areas for arable land restoration and reforestation. Farmers in this region practice smallholder pastoralism and seasonal rain fed crop farming for subsistence and market purposes. FMNR has been adopted as a solution to low agricultural productivity. Previous studies only focused on the economic contribution of FMNR.

RESEARCH GOALS AND METHODS

To quantify the broad livelihood and environmental outcomes of FMNR for subsistence farming households, scientific literature review and unpublished reports by NGOs and multilateral research or development organizations are used. The study also employs a research methodology called social return on investment (SROI). In addition to that, focus group discussions and key informant interviews are undertaken with the Ministry and other stakeholders. Secondary data is used for tree cover.

CONCLUSIONS AND TAKEAWAYS

The authors state that, non-economic outcomes generate more value than the economic benefits of the project. While FMNR is a field and forest restoration technique, the concept can be used to empower land users, enhance rural livelihoods and create space for ecological dynamics in the restoration of soil and natural resources.