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World Bank Project Brings Food Security from Sustainable Land Management in Senegal
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and degradation is increasingly affecting land resources in Senegal: almost two-thirds of the arable land, about 2.5 million hectares, is degraded. Soil fertility depletion is one of the main causes of stagnating agricultural productivity and, consequently, one of the major constraints to agricultural and economic growth. Senegal’s territorial ecosystems and their products are an important part of its natural wealth and essential to the country’s food security. But because
most of the rural population heavily depends on land resources for its livelihood, increasing land degradation reduces their livelihood options and income-generating opportunities, thus exacerbating their poverty and vulnerability. In the small village of Wellou Bell, a World Bank–funded sustainable land management (SLM) project was critical in addressing land degradation and subsequently contributed to food security. By making water available in Wellou Bell through water retention, the project allowed pastoralists to stay longer in their villages, therefore increasing the amount of milk provided to the communities. This sedentary period also increased the manure and improved soil fertility. In addition, because Wellou Bell is a crossroad village, the pond is used by about 2,000 cattle and 15,000 sheep and goats in transhumance from all regions. As a result of these efforts, Wellou Bell has become a vibrant community, animated by the social and economic activities. Many other villages and communities benefitted from this SLM project. The 20,066 hectares of land recovered using SLM practices contributed to food security, income generation and improved living conditions, including better health and education. The improved soil fertility translated into an increase of production of the main staples: millet production rose from 550 to 850 kilograms per hectare by fighting the millet wild weed Striga helmonthic; rice production rose from 1,200 to 2,300 kilograms per hectare with the use of peanut shell; and
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UNCCD . World Bank
