Defending the front lines against desertification — Global Issues

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

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

Drawing a line in the sand of Madagascar

South of the island of Madagascar off Africa’s east coast, powerful monsoon winds have driven sand inland across farmland, causing the loss of productive land at an alarming rate.

The communities living here are among the most vulnerable in Madagascar, and as the sandy soil they farm increasingly deteriorates, they can no longer farm their land and their livelihoods are threatened.

But now, with support from the United Nations, local communities are growing sisal plants that are resistant to harsh conditions and well adapted to drier environments.

Growing on a grid can help protect topsoil and prevent further erosion. This means fewer sandstorms and more opportunities to farm the land.

“The land we stand on previously had nothing but sand. So we couldn’t grow crops. But now we have planted good sisal in the village,” said Lydia Monique Anjarasoa.

hearing Lid is on of podcast united nations news Learn more about how communities are stemming the winds of change.

Regreening Saudi Arabia’s deserts

Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Ibrahim Alissa described how the arid land north of the Saudi capital Riyadh, where he grew up, has deteriorated and been affected by desertification.

The land is part of the rugged Thadiq National Park, known for its wide valleys. As current manager, Mr. Alissa took on the project to rebuild the 660-square-kilometer park. This includes planting 250,000 trees and one million shrubs, as well as building terraced dams to capture the region’s scarce rainwater.

“Afforestation projects, protection and management have completely transformed this area,” said Alissa.

Restoring Tadiq National Park is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader plan to make its vast deserts at home and abroad green again. The drive is designed to address drought, desertification and land degradation that are threatening countries across West Asia and North Africa.

Three quarters of the region’s arable land has already been degraded and 60% of the population is already experiencing water scarcity, a figure that is set to increase by 2050.

Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with the UNCCD, has launched the G20 Global Land Initiative, which aims to reduce land degradation by 50% by 2040.

Harvesting Hope in Niger

Climate change, land degradation, soaring prices and conflict have made the already difficult lives of farmers in Africa’s Sahel region even more precarious. But communities can work together to build better lives with the support of the World Food Programme’s (WFP) Integrated Resilience Programme.

Foureyratou Saidou, a single mother of four and recently widowed from Niger’s Tillaberi region, said she has benefited from the initiative, which promotes land rehabilitation, livelihood diversification, school feeding, and nutrition interventions and improvements in the region. That’s one in three million people. Agricultural production and market access.

“Now we grow and harvest onions, tomatoes, lettuce and other vegetables from this garden that we can eat and sell in the local market,” she said. “Before, there wasn’t much to buy. Now we don’t want to leave.”

With easier access to markets, Saidou has been able to support her children by selling food she does not eat at home.