150401 EA_Ecosystem restoration_Showcase FMNR

FMNR in Sahel countries
Making the case for Ecosystem Restoration
A report for The Ecosystem Alliance by Aidenvironment
April 2015
Contents
Executive summary
3
Glossary
4
1.
Introduction
5
2.
2.1.
2.2.
2.3.
2.4.
The Scenery
The Sahel
Pressures on the scenery
The Population
Government, policies and legislation
7
7
7
9
9
3.
3.1.
3.2.
3.3.
3.4.
The Ecosystem Alliance at work
Implementation of FMNR by the Ecosystem Alliance
FMNR as solution in the landscape
FMNR as answer for problems of the population
FMNR and government
10
10
11
12
14
4.
4.1.
4.2.
4.3.
Achievements
Ecosystem restoration
Benefits for livelihoods
Scaling up
15
15
15
16
2
Executive summary
The Sahel is a semi-arid area that suffers from severe droughts, agricultural activities and cattle
grazing which all contribute to degradation of the ecosystem. Communities experience smaller
harvests, water scarcity and decreased soil fertility for agriculture. Degradation of the Sahel
ecosystem increases the vulnerability of communities for climatic circumstances, which are
enlarged by climate change.
In this region the farmer managed natural regeneration (FMNR) approach is being used for a
long period of time and is embraced by the EA. The FMNR approach builds on the present
agricultural activities of communities and makes use of existing plant material in the ground,
such as seeds and stems. Plant material is protected to support the natural regeneration.
Benefits of the approach are enhanced through the application of right pruning techniques and
other methods that prevent erosion, such as half moon terraces.
FMNR activities in the Sahel have resulted in restoration of the ecosystem, such as increased
tree cover and density, improved soil quality and soil fertility and better water management. This
has resulted in higher yields of annual crops, and produce from the recovered vegetation such
as medicines, NTFP and fodder for cattle.
In general, FMNR activities result in benefits relatively soon after implementation. To increase
the long term success of FMNR activities, the EA and its partners work intensively on local
government level. Village committees are set up and supported in their capacity, agreements
with local governments, farmers and village heads are signed to ensure compliance to rules.
Social fencing plays an important role since boundaries between private and public land are not
always clearly marked.
3
Glossary
CSO
EA
Ecosystem
Services
FMNR
NGO
NTFP
Scale up
Civil Society is the “aggregate of non-governmental organizations and
institutions that manifest interests and will of citizens”. CSO is that of nonstate, not-for-profit, voluntary organizations formed by people in that social
sphere. This term is used to describe a wide range of organizations,
networks, associations, groups and movements that are independent from
government and that sometimes come together to advance their common
interests through collective action.
Ecosystem Alliance, consisting of IUCN NL, Both ENDS, and Wetlands
International
Services provided by the ecosystem that are used by the local community /
companies, and others. Ecosystem services are the benefits provided by
ecosystems that contribute to making human life both possible and worth
living.
Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration
Non-Governmental Organization. Non profit organizations that are not linked
to governments. They serve environmental and social goals and try to
influence policy of governments. It can be large organizations operating on
international level, or small and working on community level.
Non-Timber Forest Products
Scaling up of activities or projects can have multiple meanings:






Increasing the area of intervention
Applying same methods in another type of eco-system
Increasing the number of stakeholders participating in a project
Uptake of improved practices by non target audience (spill-over effect)
Uptake at policy level
Participation of national government
4
1. Introduction
The Ecosystem Alliance is a five-year collaboration (2011-2015) between IUCN National
Committee of the Netherlands (IUCN NL), Both ENDS and Wetlands International. Together
with a large number of implementing local organizations, the EA is active in sixteen countries
worldwide. The driver for the EA is the large pressure that we as human beings put on
ecosystem services through the fast population growth, the increased demand for food and the
rapid speed in which the ecosystems are degrading. In addition, the effects of climate change
on the natural environment strengthen the negative effects. It is the poor rural communities in
more vulnerable countries that suffer a lot from these pressures. The EA is convinced that these
people are the spill to sustainable management of natural resources and supporting them in
sustainable management and improving their livelihoods will result in long term ecosystem
governance that involves the broader spectrum of society. The goal of the EA can be defined as
“Improving the livelihoods of the poor and create an inclusive economy, through participatory
and responsible management of ecosystems”. In order to achieve its goal, the EA works with
three pillars:
1. Livelihoods and Ecosystems, which focuses on sustainable use by rural poor through
empowering communities and organizations
2. Greening the Economy, addresses the economic drivers of rural poverty and ecosystem
degradation that lie beyond the control of the local people but might be influenced via
CSOs.
3. Ecosystems, People and Climate Change focuses on reducing the impacts of climate
shocks while improving the functioning of ecosystems to protect livelihoods.
Within these themes, the EA focuses on direct poverty alleviation, building civil society and on
influencing policies. Using these approaches, issues are being tackled on local, national,
regional and international levels.
The selection of analyzed projects falls under the Livelihoods and Ecosystems theme. This
theme deals with projects that address the link between poverty and ecosystem management
through building natural, physical, social, financial, and legal capital. In addition, this theme aims
to strengthen capacities of communities in decision making for improving access and rights of
land and water and at the same time reduce vulnerability of communities who experience
ecosystem degradation through human interventions and climate change.
1
Livelihoods and Ecosystems projects are executed in a variety of countries and make use of a
limited set of proven approaches and tools. This show case dives into the successes and
challenges of Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR). It describes the approach and
the background on the situation and related issues. This is followed by a clear description on
how FMNR contributes to solving those issues in the region and its achievements.
Approach and methodology
This showcase is a result of a desk study specific FMNR projects that have been selected,
complemented with interviews with local partners and project leaders for receiving background
1
Selection of countries: Senegal, Mali, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil
5
information. Available online literature was used for creating an overview of the context in which
the projects take place.
The first chapter of this case describes the context of the project, emphasizing the
environmental situation, the local communities and the role of the governments. The second
chapter elaborates the method used in the EA projects and how this contributes to improvement
of the current (or past) situation. The last chapter goes deeper into the achievements as result
of the project so far.
Limitations and challenges
Restoration of ecosystems takes a long period of time and because the analyzed project(s) are
not in the final phase, it is not yet possible to see long term effects. Earlier experiences of the
EA and/or scientific literature can serve as evidence for long term benefits and successes.
Acknowledgements
Special acknowledgements go to the reference team of the EA consisting of Henk Simons
(IUCN NL), Marie José van der Werff ten Bosch (Both ENDS), Maria Stolk (Wetland
International), Joseph Lumumba (IUCN NL) and Maartje Hilterman (IUCN NL).
For more information about FMNR in the Sahel please contact Joseph Lumumba
(joseph.lumumba@iucn.nl) or Marie José van der Werff ten Bosch (mjb@bothends.org)
6
2. The Scenery
2.1. The Sahel
The Sahel area is a semi-arid area stretching from west to east of North Africa (see figure
1) with a rural population with limited resources. The EA works in Mali and Burkina Faso to
stimulate regeneration of degenerated land. The landscape is mainly degraded because of
cattle grazing and drought. The EA works in remote areas where there is limited
(administrative) infrastructure and where people depend mainly on agriculture for their
subsistence.
Mauretania
Mali
Niger
Senegal
Chad
Sudan
Eritrea
Burkina
Faso
Benin
Nigeria
Ethiopia
Figure 1: The Sahel region. (Source: Photographer/illustrator: Felix Koenig)
The farmer managed natural regeneration (FMNR) projects of the EA concentrate on Mali and
Burkina Faso. The EA encounters a variety of challenges in the Sahel: (1) the extreme scenery,
(2) engaging with the poor rural population, (3) engaging with local governments. The following
sections each deal with a challenge starting with the scenery.
2.2. Pressures on the scenery
Degraded land
The main pressures on the Sahel ecosystems are human activities, limited water availability,
and pressure of cattle grazing. Significant parts of the Sahel are subject to over grazing, drought
in the recent past, (wind and water) erosion, and agricultural pressure. Land has been severely
degraded and soil fertility has dramatically reduced. Loss of vegetation and biodiversity are
recurring problems. For the local community this situation leads to decreased yields from
agricultural activities, reduced incomes and poverty. On the bright side however, albeit
degraded in many areas there are still seeds stored in the soil or stems present that can be
used for natural restoration.
7
Limited water availability – drought
By definition water availability in the Sahel area is limited because it is a semi arid climate with
little annual rainfall (typically less than 20 inches a year). There is a rainfall period after which
life comes to spring as can be concluded from figure 2 below. However this area has also
known long periods of drought, for example in the 80-ties of the previous era. During this period,
the area was afflicted by a prolonged period of little or no rainfall causing serious damage to the
environment and leading to hundreds of thousands of casualties.
March 2004
September 2004
March 2004
September 2004
Figure 2: Vegetation and rainfall patterns in the Sahel in 2004 (source: NASA Observatory)
Figure 3: Rainfall patterns Sahel region (Source: based on JISAO data)
Cattle pressure
In certain areas, the pressure of cattle grazing poses a challenge to natural restoration. The
pressures on flood plain systems are caused by grazing from migrating cattle. One outstanding
example is the migration of cattle from Mauretania into the flood plains of the inner Niger Delta
in Mali to feed. Here, cattle graze young tree shoots, which poses a big threat to regeneration of
natural ecosystem because the natural regeneration capacity of the ecosystem is destroyed.
8
2.3. The Population
Poor communities and low awareness
Farmers participating in the projects of the EA belong to the poorest of the poor. Their resilience
against disasters such as drought is limited and they are depending on agriculture to provide
food for them. Any intervention in this area should be low cost as the communities do not have
the means to contribute to projects other than in kind. Poverty reduction should be a key impact
of the interventions in these countries. Most farmers are not aware of the benefits for their
livelihoods to restore ecosystems. Because of their economic situation farmers are in a day-byday survival mode. They rely on their past experiences and methods that were used for
decades.
2.4. Government, policies and legislation
Government involvement
Governments do not fully embrace ecosystem restoration because they do not support
restoration activities or they have no strategies in place to do so. This results in no legislation
available and no enforcement of regulations. In many remote areas the influence of the national
government is limited. Therefore it is important to have a good relationship with local
governments in these areas. Several regions in the Sahel face much instability in governments,
of which the recent violent outbursts in Mali are a good example. These political instabilities
challenge the embedding of ecosystem restoration activities on the national level.
Legal challenges (no ownership over trees by farmers)
In Burkina Faso trees cannot be owned by individuals. A farmer that is interested ecosystem
restoration cannot benefit from the products that newly grown trees yield. This is a serious
challenge in convincing the farmers of the benefits of restoring the ecosystem. Land tenure and
respecting the borders of private land is also an important aspect in these countries. In many
cases there is no artificial border between private land and a solution is needed in communities
where many farmers start restore the ecosystem, which need borders but do not have the
financial means for proper fencing. Also land grabbing by private companies (enabled by the
government) occurs once land has been revitalized and trees return to an area. In Niger the
legal situation is different. In the past trees were owned by the state forestry service, under
whose supervision the management was not arranged well. Farmers and NGOs started
implementing FMNR activities to
restore areas. The government and
the forestry services acknowledged
the advantages of FMNR and
regulations and laws were adapted.
This resulted in the right for farmers
to own trees. With regard to land
outside forests a distinction exists
between range land, pastoralist land
(both collective ownership) and
parkland (belonging to individual
farmers).
Zaï practices with manure pits for planting in Dicko
Oumarou Hamido, Bani, Burkina Faso (Source: IUCN NL)
9
3. The Ecosystem Alliance at work
FMNR is an agro-forestry technique to help accelerate re-growth of natural vegetation
while giving preference to those types of trees that fit farmers’ needs. FMNR is an
approach that has been applied successfully by several organizations for over thirty years.
FMNR has potential for ‘re-greening the Sahel’ in a relatively cheap and participatory way.
To scale up successful local experiences FMNR ambassadors can come from grassroots
networks, village committees and producer associations, members of municipal councils or
national parliaments, decision makers in government agencies and extension officers from
forestry and agriculture services.
Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR)
FMNR is an agro forestry technique that is used to reduce poverty and to restore degraded
lands. Ideally it results in increased biodiversity and better climate change resilience for
communities. FMNR is applied to a large extent in the Sahel region, but the technology is not
restricted to dry areas. In practice, FMNR involves re-growth and management of trees and
shrubs from felled stumps, roots and seeds, protection and nurturing spontaneous re-growth
of vegetation and pruning trees which allows young trees to grow faster. Planting trees and
soil preparation activities can be an additional action to further boost the ecosystem, but this
is not the core element because it is more costly and less easy to spread at large scale.
These activities are integrated into crops and grazing pastures, through which soil structures
are restored, the water table rises and biodiversity increases.
Three main steps of FMNR are defined as follows:
1. Protect and allow plants and tree stumps to grow on the farm
2. Survey the farm and see how many and what species of trees are present, select best
stems for pruning and cut off excess stems.
3. Through good pruning methods and protection of the trees, growth of the trees is
stimulated.
(Source: http://fmnrhub.com.au/; http://www.worldvision.org.hk/en/learn/climate-change-how#tab2; Regreening the Sahel; restoring
native vegetation using Assisted Natural Regeneration, EA 2014)
The following paragraphs go deeper into the implementation of FMNR projects in Mali and
Burkina Faso and how this approach has contributes to solving the issues in the scenery, the
local population and local governments.
3.1. Implementation of FMNR by the Ecosystem Alliance
The EA uses the FMNR approach for ecosystem restoration and livelihood improvement
projects because it is a proven method that is effective for regions in the Sahel. It is a method
that makes use of what is still present in the ground (seeds and stems) and it has quick visible
results for farmers. The involvement of the farmers is a crucial element of the method because
farmers are the ones applying the method, it takes place on private and communal land and
farmers are the first beneficiaries. Farmers manage the trees and the landscape in a better way,
10
because they own the land and trees. FMNR is highly suitable for the Sahel area because
FMNR is considered to be a low cost, easy-to-apply method to regenerate ecosystems.
In essence, the EA focuses on three aspects. The examples under each aspect give an
indication of the type of activities that are conducted.
1) Awareness rising of how FMNR can contribute to healthy ecosystems and resilient
livelihoods
 Training in FMNR techniques such as pruning and half moon techniques
 Provide farm tools and equipment
 Stimulate additional sources of income
2) Support capacity building of producer collectives for sustainable resource management
 Provide training to local CSO partners on lobby and advocacy
 Organize field excursion trips for knowledge exchange
3) Support improvement of farm trees governance
 Set up local steering committees for FMNR governance
 Organize advocacy meetings for governmental bodies to create more awareness
about the benefits of FMNR.
3.2. FMNR as solution in the landscape
This section shows how FMNR contributes to improvement of the ecosystems and restores
degraded land and reduces water scarcity.
Reverse degradation and improve soil fertility (structure, moisture, and nutrients)
In the Sahel, seeds are stored in the soil, waiting for the proper moment to germinate (e.g. in
the rainy season). FMNR stimulates farmers to develop proper practice to develop existing
seeds into mature plants. In addition, existing root networks and small bushes can be stimulated
to grow using the proper techniques and by preventing grazing. By using the present plant
material, tree species such as the Baobab and various other local plant species such as Acacia
and Pennisatum or Panicum grass species return to grow and benefit the local population.
FMNR field in Gorum Gorum, Burkina Faso (Source: IUCN NL)
11
Stimulating the growth of indigenous plant species is expected to results in an improvement of
the soil fertility. The structure of the soil is improved through revitalized root systems, improved
tillage techniques, and better organic matter content. The soil is more resilient to drought and
erosion through wind and heavy rainfall (in the rainy season). In FMNR projects in Niger specific
indigenous trees such as Piliostigma reticulaten, Guiera senegalensis and Combretum
glutinosum have the capacity to move deep ground water to shallow layers. This benefits
annual crops during dry seasons.
The Sahel also provided green corridors for migrating birds. With the application of FMNR and
the increased agricultural activities, these green corridors may return. Related to this wider
aspect of benefits for flora and fauna, application of FMNR in a buffer zone around a natural
reserve can reduce the pressure on the natural reserve. The buffer zone can provide local
communities with the necessary natural resources for food, fire wood and additional activities
that other ways would be harvested in the reserves. The FMNR activities in Niger have shown
an increase in vegetation cover that attracts wildlife and insect predators such as birds and
lizards. These pest predators reduce the need for pesticides for crop cultivation.
Increased availability of water and reduced pressure from grazing
As described in chapter one, the limited availability of water is a problem in the Sahel. FMNR is
expected to lead to better natural water management because increased plant coverage
creates more shade on the ground, which results in less evaporation of water. This increases
the water retention capacity of the soil. This has been proved in FMNR projects in Burkina Faso,
where the ground water level has increased as a result of increased water retention capacities
of the soil.
The newly planted trees and restored vegetation provide additional fodder for the cattle for
locals, which reduces the need for the cattle to graze outside the farm area. Fencing off areas
where trees and other plants are revitalized remains however at this moment still essential for
the success of FMNR. In other areas, for instance, in Niger, fencing takes place through ‘social
fencing’ (see paragraph 3.3). In some areas cattle has to migrate long distances to find suitable
grazing grounds. Such an area is in danger of overgrazing. FMNR applied in the original grazing
grounds can be part of the solution of this problem.
3.3. FMNR as answer for problems of the population
Simple solutions for limited additional cost for poor communities
FMNR is applied in poorest of the poor communities. This means that any solution should be
low cost or free. If investments are needed, donor money may be required, or a realistic
financial solution should be provided. FMNR makes use of existing plant material and in general
no new planting material is required. Additionally, planting material can be provided as part of
the project. In some cases nurseries are set up which are managed by the local communities to
manage future supply.
All solutions are embedded at local and community level. The farmers are trained in FMNR and
are able to easily apply the learned practices after training, without the intervention of other
parties.
FMNR aims to restore natural habitats and revitalize the ecosystem of the Sahel, making it more
climate change resilient. One of the key additional benefits of this technique is that it directly
12
impacts the livelihood of communities, providing additional food and other products to the
community.
Social fencing
A good example of the pro poor approach is that the EA applies the principle of ‘social
fencing’ to provide protection of ownership of trees. Social fencing is a method in which
proper agreements are made about which trees or land belongs to which farmer. Usually
these agreements are made on paper. Social fencing is a cheaper method than real fencing
an area. It stimulates the creation of ownership of trees for protection. The social fencing
approach means that farmers do not have to invest in fencing, but clear agreements are
made which makes it clear for everybody who is responsible for which tree and how
ownership is organized. To follow up on agreements, official control bodies are installed.
These bodies or village committees cooperate with local governments and control the area
for migrating cattle and farmers. The first years of FMNR activities and the presence of a
village committee are crucial to show neighboring communities and nomad farmers what the
rules on the land are.
Provision of additional resources
As a result of the application of FMNR, trees and shrubs have the possibility to mature which
leads to an increasing number and diversity of trees in an area. Communities harvest fruits,
nuts, and other products from the plants and trees which generates an additional source of
food. As FMNR can result in double harvests, surplus agricultural products can be sold on the
market, providing additional income. Besides food for the populations themselves, pruning
material from trees and bushes provides fodder for cattle. Obviously the trees also provide
wood for the communities, for cooking and for other purposes. Also medicinal plants and trees
have been revived providing natural medicines, benefitting the health of the communities. In
Niger FMNR practices have led to larger crop yields, the success of growing crops such as
grain has been proven, and fodder and manure are sold on local markets.
Cooperation on local level
Access to local communities, access to local, regional and national governments, good local
reputation, specific field experience, knowledge about local cultures are all relevant capacities
that contribute to the success of the projects of the EA, but for which the EA works together with
local organizations. These project partners bring specific capacities to the projects. In return for
their efforts the EA provides knowledge, capacity and supports these organizations financially
(as part of the project).
13
Table 1 Overview of involved local partners
Mali
Donko
AMCFE
AMPRODE
HDS
Sahel Eco
Burkina Faso
AGEREF
MARP Network
New Tree
AGED
NATURAMA
Project implementation, training on FMNR practices, lobby on FMNR
and climate change
Implementation of FMNR activities
Implementation of FMNR activities
Signing MoU forestry department for protection of trees, lobby
Project implementation
Implementation of FMNR activities and lobby activities on carbon
credits, climate change
Cooperation with farmers
Project implementation
Implementation of FMNR activities
NGO
3.4. FMNR and government
In Burkina Faso, the EA aims to integrate FMNR in forestry policies. The EA developed an
advocacy framework to convince national level decision makers about the importance of FMNR.
To achieve this, the EA started with the organization of meetings to identify the current state of
affairs and investigated the existing legislation. Based on this knowledge workshops and other
types of meetings were organized in which representatives from local, regional and national
government were present, e.g. policy makers from several national departments. In these
meetings the benefits and results of FMNR were explained.
In general a threat to the recognition of FMNR is the reluctance of national governments to
recognize the rights of communities on trees and to accept the community based organizations
as equal partners. This results in farmers feeling not rewarded and they may feel no
responsibility for continuation of FMNR after the project has finished. This might hinder
successful scaling up and continuation of FMNR implementation.
14
4. Achievements
To describe the achievements of the EA in FMNR projects, this section only refers to actual EA
projects.
4.1. Ecosystem restoration
In Burkina Faso the communities started implementing FMNR as a result of the trainings that
were provided. Not only FMNR was part of the curriculum of the trainings, the communities also
learned about climate change issues and practices to mitigate the effects of it. From the start of
the project, people outside the project were starting to implement FMNR as well, which shows
the added value of the approach. The exchange trips further enhanced this positive spillover
effect of the project.
In Burkina Faso the size of the canopy of some trees has reached two meters, which is a large
difference compared to only 5 years ago when no vegetation existed. Also tree heights have
reached up to 1.5 meters, which is a considerable growth for the second year of the project. In
the Kayes region in the west of Mali, application of FMNR leads to an increase of 50-60% tree
2
density. It is also expected that ground water levels will increase once the vegetation density
increases.
It is worth noting in the current period of time (2 yrs) the impact of the FMNR on the fields in
terms of efficiency, is not yet measurable. It will take longer to have an accurate predictor of
returns. However many beneficiaries of the project in Mali indicate that the soil fertility has
improved significantly since the adoption of FMNR. The EA expects to restore a total of 40000
Ha in both countries at the end of the program.
4.2. Benefits for livelihoods
In general, the application of FMNR practices leads to increased tree densities and tree
varieties as a result of better soil quality and fertility. This results in increased yields and more
non-timber forest products (NTFPs). Increased yields are expected to lead to more food and
more income when excess products are sold on the market. Non timber products also may also
provide increased income. Women were trained and stimulated in improving gardening
techniques and sustainable collection and processing of NTFPs. Women also received trainings
on increasing the revenues of their activities.
A second effect of FMNR is that locals are trained in activities for generating additional income
such as soap making or shea butter production. In Burkina Faso women groups were formed
and trained to produce soap. These groups were provided with the essential tools for production
and their organizational capacity was improved to increase the revenue. To support the sales of
soap a marketing unit was established in the Mali project.
Finally, FMNR activities lead to more time available for households due to more wood presence
in the neighborhood which does not have to be collected far from the village.
2
Tree density can reach from 50 to 90 trees per plot
15
In some communities additional credit systems are tested to support the sustainability of the
projects and provide a structure for FMNR application once the projects have finished. A credit
facility allows the community to acquire necessary means (tools, planting material) to start
application of FMNR, but taking into account the poor financial situation of the population.
Peanut harvesting by women from their FMNR fields in Kalao, Kayes (Mali). Source: IUCN NL
4.3. Scaling up
Building on current activities and experience
In Burkina Faso the EA and its partners selected frontrunners in the area, the leaders of
opinions, because they are suitable to play an important role between the communities and
scaling up of the project.
There are many very interesting opportunities for scaling up FMNR:
a) Further application in community owned areas instead of private grounds. This requires
an adjusted approach that aims to stimulate common agreements about the area and
responsibilities for the implementation of FMNR. Important issues that should be
addressed here are tree ownership and the direct beneficiaries from the tree products.
b) Develop outreach programs on FMNR with local media including national TV and local
FM radio stations.
c) Protect FMNR trees from grazing in areas of high livestock farming. Fencing should be
encouraged and promoted using live fencing or when not possible use barbed wires to
help establish the live fencing.
d) Increasing production and yield to sell agricultural surplus (what is not needed to feed
the community) on the market which should generate additional income.
e) Increase the knowledge exchange, e.g. through cross border visits to learn how FMNR
is applied abroad. Exchange visits may not be carried out too far away any more as EA
itself has some good FMNR sites.
f) Encourage and help farmers get land titles on their farms and make the registration
process for FMNR private farmers affordable and available to rural dwellers.
g) Set up and further development of nurseries that help communities to produce their own
planting material instead of their dependence on third (donor) parties. This benefits the
self sustainability of FMNR.
16
Policy uptake
An FMNR unit at the National Directory for Forestry shows that the FMNR approach is well
acknowledged in Burkina Faso. In general the FMNR practices are adopted by the local
communities, while policy uptake still remains limited. Therefore, the forestry laws are evaluated
to identify shortcomings and these shortcomings are addressed in the lobby and advocacy
activities, but remain a point of attention for the next years. Policy uptake can also be achieved
through the integration of FMNR into national programs on agricultural extension, forestry and
anti-desertification.
Trainings were provided to local governments (such as members of the village environmental
council) about the effects of climate change and how to mitigate these effects. This led to more
awareness at the local governmental level.In another project in Mali, soon after organizing three
campaigns on lobby and advocacy, two villages have integrated FMNR in their economic, social
and cultural development plan.
Spill-over
The EA projects have resulted in the reborn of agro-forestry activities outside project areas. For
instance, in Burkina Faso the EA noticed that agro-forestry activities were restored in at least
566 ha. This spill-over is a result of EA activities as well as FMNR success stories in general.
17