Communities Regreen the Sahel supports farmers in strengthening the resilience of local food systems, enhancing both the health and livelihoods of local communities. Through Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) and agroecological practices, farmers are increasing and diversifying their yields, leading to more – and more nutritious – food for their families.
Undernourishment
Across the Sahel, degraded land, climate change, and erratic and extreme weather pose major challenges to agricultural production. (Periodic) undernourishment is a major problem in some areas, especially for children, the elderly, and pregnant and lactating women. Productivity per hectare is often too low for farmers to provide their families with enough food throughout the year, and there is a lack of affordable, healthy food on local markets. Dependence on food imports and food assistance increases the vulnerability of many communities.
Tomatoes from a garden in Burkina Faso
Education about healthy nutrition for parents in Niger
Access to food
Packed with protein, vitamins and fibre, and available year-round, FMNR food products are crucial for preventing undernourishment, particularly in times of food scarcity. We are raising awareness among communities about the nutritional value of foods that are harvested and produced from FMNR trees. They are a key component of more balanced, healthy diets.
We are also working to strengthen the resilience of communities by ensuring more stable and equitable access to food. In collaboration with community healthcare workers, local authorities, and farmers, we are supporting the establishment of community food banks, where farmers can provide part of their harvest in return for access to stored grain. Our aim is to ensure that healthy food remains affordable and accessible to undernourished families. By encouraging the active participation of local farmers, and promoting the exchange of skills and resources, food banks contribute to the economic empowerment of rural communities.
Storage of grain
Peanuts are a very nutritious food that play an important role in the Sahel’s local food systems
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