Sub-Saharan Africa is facing a serious problem: the progression of desertification. According to the United Nations and the Convention to Combat Desertification, more than 160 million hectares of arable land have been lost in the region since 2015. This situation jeopardizes the food security of millions of people and seriously affects agricultural conditions. economic of the populations living in the affected areas.
Among the countries most affected by this phenomenon, Burkina Faso has managed to obtain encouraging results in its fight against desertification. Since 2015, the country has managed to recover half of its lost agricultural land thanks to an innovative and careful approach. Seydou Kaboré, farmer at the Guiè pilot farm, explains that this involves implementing specific arrangements on agricultural land in order to retain rainwater in the fields. In addition, earthworks are also carried out around the plots to combat soil erosion.
These Burkinabe results are welcomed by the United Nations. Ibrahim Thiaw, Secretary General of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, emphasizes that traditional water resources management techniques, such as Zaï practiced in Burkina Faso, show satisfactory results. Although these actions are carried out on a small scale, they make it possible to recover land and make it productive again, thus helping to improve food security and the economic conditions of populations.
The construction of mini-agricultural dams, called Zaï, is one of the measures put in place as part of what is called “Sahelian Bocages”. However, despite these advances, the high cost of these developments (estimated between 800 and 1,000 euros per hectare) limits their generalization. This is why the UN is calling on African governments to continue their efforts to combat desertification and to find more accessible solutions.
Land desertification in Africa is mainly linked to agriculture. Intensive land use, extraction of natural resources and soil erosion contribute to environmental deterioration and the loss of arable land. Ibrahim Thiaw emphasizes that land occupation must move from an exploitation model to sustainable management in order to preserve resources and fight against desertification.
Desertification has catastrophic consequences for populations living in affected areas, particularly in regions closest to deserts. In addition to the loss of agricultural land, this leads to conflict and forced migration, as well as significant economic losses.
To face this challenge, international cooperation and the sustained efforts of African governments are essential. It is crucial to promote sustainable agricultural practices, raise awareness about environmental preservation and develop appropriate technologies to combat desertification. Safeguarding agricultural land is a major challenge in ensuring food security and sustainable economic development in Africa.
In conclusion, desertification in sub-Saharan Africa is an urgent problem that requires coordinated action. The successes achieved by Burkina Faso in its fight against desertification show that effective solutions exist. It is now necessary to scale up these initiatives and actively promote the preservation of agricultural land. Food security and the economic well-being of populations depend on it.