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Day 12

A tree seedling for reforestation in Senegal

Tree by tree to new life Tree by tree to new life

A tree seedling for reforestation in Senegal
Day 12
Healthy soils and a better climate in Senegal

"For years we only grew peanuts. The soil is now completely exhausted and no longer produces anything," report Alioune and Seynabou Ndoye from the Kaolack region in western Senegal. In addition, climate change with long droughts and extreme rainfall is contributing to further erosion of the weakened soils. The concentration on peanut cultivation led to a decline in harvests and high seasonal unemployment. Whole families could no longer feed themselves, and most young people migrated to the cities. "We were about to give up, like many others," say local residents. But the planting of legume trees changed everything. These trees act like fertilizer for the soil: they live in interaction with soil bacteria that transport nitrogen from the air into the earth. This makes the soil more fertile and enables greater plant diversity.

Healthy soils and a better climate in Senegal
need
Planting trees that make depleted soils in Senegal more fertile again.
activity
Small farmers receive tree seedlings and learn organic farming techniques.
Measurable performance
Number of hectares planted with fertilizer trees and number of smallholder farmers converting to agroforestry.
Result
The first fruits, herbs and vegetables from different plants can be harvested because the soil is slowly recovering.
Systemically relevant impact
The soil has recovered and is more fertile again. Nutrient-rich plants grow here in greater variety. They are cared for by trained groups.
background

Senegal loses almost 123 hectares of forest every day. That is 5 hectares of forest every hour. Of the 3,805,000 hectares of arable land available to Senegal, 2,511,300 hectares (i.e. 66 percent) have been severely degraded due to poor agricultural practices (FAO, 2016). In addition, population is growing rapidly: more people in cities and rural areas need housing and must be provided for. Natural ecosystems can hardly absorb this pressure any more. After many years of monoculture cultivation - that is, growing the same type of plant on the same area - the soil is exhausted. To meet the growing demand for space, many forest areas have been cleared. All of this has led to the destruction of forests, the depletion of food and feed resources, and a decline in biodiversity (FAO, 2017). Climate change does tend to increase the intensity of rainfall. But the alternation between drought and heavy rain poses new challenges for soil care. One solution is reforestation through agroforestry. Planting fertilizing trees allows the soil to recover. Rainfall and nutrients are better absorbed and stored by the tree roots. This means that the forests and fields can survive periods of drought.

Day 12 Day 12
The good deed

With today's good deed, you are supporting reforestation in Senegal. In workshops, the APAF organization informs the affected villages about the causes of soil erosion and the potential of reforestation for soil protection. Afterwards, women learn the techniques of organic farming. The training not only expands their own knowledge, but also strengthens their position in the villages. The tree nurseries are a central place for further training and exchange and are used to grow fertilizer trees and fruit trees. Seed for vegetable beds is also provided and exchanged. The farmers earn an income in this way. This not only ensures their nutrition, but also the recovery of the soil.

AboutSenegal
Dakar
Dakar
Capital city
16,296,360
16,296,360
Population
$3,256
$3,256
Gross domestic product per capita per year
Rank 166 of 189
Rank 166 of 189
Human Development Index (Human Development Index)

Senegal, a West African country, was forced to grow peanuts during colonial times. Today it is still the tenth largest peanut producer in the world. The one-sided cultivation in this dry country has rendered entire areas infertile.
About the organization and further information

organization

Action Group Solidary World eV

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Further links