Joint efforts are helping vulnerable farmers cope with drought in the Sahel
On the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, we highlight how the work of CCAFS helps farmers cope with the scourge of drought in the Sahel, particularly in the context of climate change.
According to a Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) study 20% of the population in West Africa lives in the semi-arid zone (Sahel) and 5% in the arid zone. These populations are predominantly rural and depend on rain-fed cereal-based agriculture in sub-humid and semi-arid areas, and pastoralism in arid areas. They are highly vulnerable to climate variability and change.
Sub-Saharan Africa and the Sahel in particular, are vulnerable regions in terms of exposure to desertification; declining rainfall, permanent risk of drought which constitute additional burden to an already very worrying situation in rural areas. These have negative impacts on agriculture and thus threatens food security.
In line with its goal of improving the adaptive capacity of the agricultural sector to climate change, CCAFS focuses on climate-smart agriculture (CSA) technologies and practices such as agroforestry, soil and water conservation and crop improvement, in support to the most vulnerable to climate change.
CIFOR