Maintain the frontline against desertification

Around the world, young and old are responding to this threat by adopting new approaches to working the land that can not only prevent further land degradation but can also bring new livelihood opportunities.

The issue of desertification, drought and land restoration is being discussed at the global meeting of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), continues in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, until December 13.

Drawing a line in the sand in Madagascar

In the southern island of Madagascar off the east coast of Africa, productive land has been lost at an alarming rate as sand is pushed inland by strong seasonal winds.

The communities living here are among the most vulnerable in Madagascar, and as the sandy soil they grow in is increasingly degraded, they are unable to cultivate the land and their livelihoods are threatened.

But now, with support from the United Nations, communities have grown sisal crops that are resistant to harsh conditions and well adapted to more arid environments.

When planted in trellises, they can help protect topsoil and prevent further erosion. This means fewer sandstorms and more opportunities to develop the land.

“Previously on the land where we are standing there was nothing here, only sand. Therefore, we cannot grow crops. But now, we have planted sisal trees and this is very good for the village,” said Lydia Monique Anjarasoa.

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Greening the desert in Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, Abdullah Ibrahim Alissa is described how the arid land he grew up in north of the country’s capital Riyadh had deteriorated and suffered the effects of desertification.

The land lies within the rocky Thadiq National Park, famous for its vast valleys. As current manager, Mr. Alissa has undertaken a project to renovate the 660 square kilometer park. This involved planting 250,000 trees and one million shrubs as well as building cascade dams to catch the area’s sparse rainwater.

Mr. Alissa said: “Through afforestation, protection and care projects, this area has completely changed.

Restoring Thadiq National Park is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader plan to green vast desert areas at home and abroad. The push is designed to tackle drought, desertification and land degradation, problems that threaten countries across West Asia and North Africa.

Three-quarters of arable land in the region has been degraded and 60% of the population is facing this situation. water scarcitya number that will increase by 2050.

Saudi Arabia has cooperated with UNCCD to launch the project G20 Global Land Initiativeaims to reduce land degradation by 50% by 2040.

Harvesting hope in Niger

Climate change, land degradation, soaring prices and conflict have made the already challenging lives of farmers in Africa’s Sahel region even more precarious, but communities have pulled together together, with the support of the World Food Program (WFP) Integrated recovery programto foster a better life.

Foureyratou Saidou, a single mother of four and recent widow from the Tilaberi region of Niger, is one of about three million people in the region to benefit from the initiative to promote land reclamation. , livelihood diversification, school meals, nutritional interventions and improved quality of life. agricultural production and market access.

“In this garden, we now grow and harvest onions, tomatoes, lettuce and other vegetables to eat and sell at the local market,” she said. “Before, we didn’t have much to live on. Now we do and we don’t want to leave.”

With better market access, Ms. Saidou can sell food she does not consume at home and provide it for her children.