Releasing the Underground Forest

The world has experienced severe land degradation due to deforestation, climate change, drought, desertification and unsustainable land use. Consequently, the productivity and health of farmlands, grazing lands and forests has declined at scale, jeopardizing the food security, health and livelihoods of the communities that depend on them.

This white paper provides a deep-dive into Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), a technical practice and community-led development approach that involves empowering local communities to restore their landscapes through the systematic regrowth and management of existing trees and shrubs from tree stumps, sprouting root systems and wild seeds. This paper summarizes the FMNR framework, provides a robust overview of its benefits, and includes a practical case study of its application in Niger.

This subject is part of GLF Africa: Restoring Africa’s Drylands.

Author: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ); World Vision; Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration

Publisher: Global Landscapes Forum (GLF)

Language: English

Year: 2021

Ecosystem(s): Drylands and Rangelands

Location(s): Africa

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