How the UN is Holding Back the Sahara Desert

Andrew Millison2 minutes read

The UN World Food Program introduced the Great Green Wall project in Senegal to rehabilitate barren land through community-based water harvesting structures and planting local species, aiming to prevent desertification and migration to cities. Inspired by Copiac farming, the project involves planting thousands of trees and engaging young villagers in vegetable production to transform devastated areas into resilient food-producing locations along the Great Green Wall of Africa.

Insights

  • The Great Green Wall project in Senegal, led by the UN World Food Program, focuses on restoring barren land through community-based planning, water harvesting structures, and planting local species like Sorghum and Millet to combat desertification and urban migration.
  • By engaging young villagers in vegetable production, the project not only reduces local migration but also fosters social cohesion, showcasing the potential to transform degraded areas into resilient food-producing regions, aligning with the overarching goal of the Great Green Wall of Africa.

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Recent questions

  • What is the Great Green Wall project?

    Initiative to prevent desertification and migration in Senegal.

  • How does the Great Green Wall project prevent desertification?

    By planting local species and using water harvesting structures.

  • What are the key components of the Great Green Wall project?

    Water harvesting structures, planting local species, and community-based planning.

  • How does the Great Green Wall project engage young villagers?

    By involving them in vegetable production to reduce migration.

  • What is the inspiration behind the Great Green Wall project?

    Copiac farming from Brazil to mimic forest dynamics.

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Summary

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Reviving barren land with Great Green Wall

  • The UN World Food Program initiated the Great Green Wall project in Senegal to revive barren land that had not been cultivated for 40 years, aiming to prevent desertification and migration to cities.
  • The project focuses on restoring degraded landscapes through community-based planning, water harvesting structures like half moons, and planting local species such as Sorghum and Millet to rehabilitate the soil.
  • Water harvesting structures like half moons are dug by a team of 150 people, with 7,500 half moons each having a 4m diameter, allowing rainwater to be retained and feed plants like Sorghum and Millet.
  • The project also includes planting lines, horticulture beds for tomatoes and okra, trenches for Moringa and pigeon pea, and planting pits for fruit trees like guava and citrus, aiming to mimic forest dynamics and rejuvenate the soil.
  • The system, inspired by Copiac farming from Brazil, will eventually resemble a forest producing biomass and fruit, with plans to plant thousands of trees in the area to prevent desertification and promote local agriculture.
  • The project has successfully engaged young villagers in vegetable production, reducing local migration and fostering social cohesion, demonstrating the potential to transform devastated areas into resilient food-producing locations along the Great Green Wall of Africa.
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