West Africa, Restorative Agriculture

 West Africa, Restorative Agriculture

In West Africa, restorative agriculture is less about modern "tech" and more about the powerful fusion of ancient wisdom with community-led action. These projects are literally pushing back the desert and creating resilient local economies.

​Community-Led Restoration

​One of the most impactful organizations in this space is REDES (Network for Ecovillage Emergence and Development in the Sahel). Led by Dr. Ousmane Aly Pame, this network has transformed over 100 traditional villages across Senegal and Mauritania into "ecovillages." They focus on:

  • ​Regenerating the Senegal River Valley: Using holistic management to restore soil fertility and local biodiversity.
  • ​Transborder Collaboration: Connecting communities across national lines to manage shared resources and climate risks collectively.

​The "Half-Moon" Technique (Demi-Lunes)

​This is a cornerstone of Sahelian restoration. Farmers dig semi-circular pits—shaped like half-moons—perpendicular to the slope of the land.

  • ​How it works: These pits catch rainwater that would otherwise run off the hard-baked earth. Each "moon" can capture up to 1,000 liters of water, creating a moist micro-environment where seeds can thrive.
  • ​Scalability: While traditionally dug by hand, the introduction of the Delfino plough has allowed for much faster restoration. A single tractor can now prepare 15 to 20 hectares a day, a task that would take 100 farmers a full day to complete manually.

​Integrated Systems: FMNR and Food Forests

  • ​Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR): Instead of planting new trees, farmers protect and manage the "underground forest"—the living stumps and seeds already in the soil. By carefully pruning these native species, they can regrow entire forests that provide shade, firewood, and fodder.
  • ​Agroforestry & Food Forests: Projects are increasingly implementing multi-layered planting systems. In Senegal, these "forest gardens" combine fruit trees (like mango or citrus) with nitrogen-fixing shrubs and ground crops, providing food security while naturally cooling the local environment.

​Regional Initiatives

​Senegal is currently a leader in the Great Green Wall (SURAGGWA) program, which aims to restore 1.4 million hectares of land across the Sahel. This initiative isn't just about planting a line of trees; it's about building a mosaic of restorative farms and managed forests that support local value chains and skills development.

​Sahel Ecovillage Communities


In this video, Dr. Ousmane Aly Pame explains how the REDES network is using grassroots ecorestoration to combat desertification and revitalize community life in the Senegal River Valley.



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