Scaling Up Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration in Africa to Restore Degraded Landscapes

Protecting and managing natural regeneration of woody species on‐farm  can help create new agroforestry parklands as well as promote natural regeneration off‐farm. Increasing the number of trees on farms as well as off‐farm is important in the context of accelerated climate change and ambitious pledges to restore degraded forestland. This study examines large-scale agroforestry parklands in three African countries.

Research Goals & Methods 

The authors review and analyze available literature on agroforestry systems in Niger, Mali, and Senegal with focus on historical conditions, species suitability, socio-economic costs and benefits, and local management structures that promote or inhibit scale. The study references two case studies in Ethiopia where large scale agroforestry has been successfully implemented.

conclusions & takeaways

Findings reveal why and how current ambitious forest restoration targets can be achieved if there is a shift from tree planting to new agroforestry techniques such as assisted natural regeneration. The study recommends scaling‐up natural regeneration with a robust monitoring framework and a clear strategy.