Watering cattle in Mwanza region in Tanzania
(Photo: Tanzania Coalition for Sustainable Development)
As the world’s population is projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, the growing demand for nutritious food and clean water makes restoring degraded land not just a choice, but a necessity for survival.
This
year’s global observance of Desertification
and Drought Day, hosted by Colombia and led by the United
Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) under the theme “Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities”,
reminds us that healthy lands power jobs, food and water security, and
resilient value chains.
According
to UNCCD, every US$1 invested in land restoration generates a return of US$7 to
US$30 through enhanced ecosystem services and livelihoods. The economic case is
clear. UNCCD estimates that nations must collectively invest US$1 billion per day by 2030 to
restore some 1.5 billion hectares of
land, ensuring human dignity and environmental resilience.
East Africa at the Frontline of Land Degradation
East
Africa is facing intensifying challenges due to desertification and prolonged
droughts. Countries such as Kenya,
Ethiopia, Somalia, and parts of Tanzania
and Uganda are experiencing a deepening crisis as climate change
accelerates the degradation of arable land and the depletion of water
resources.
Desertification—driven
by unsustainable land use, deforestation, and climate change—is turning
once-productive land into barren, uninhabitable terrain. Repeated and prolonged
droughts have made things worse. Between 2020 and 2023, East Africa experienced
one of the worst droughts in four
decades, affecting more than 20
million people (WFP, 2023). Crops failed, livestock died, and water
sources dried up—pushing many communities to the brink of collapse.
Rising Food Insecurity and Social Strain
One of
the most devastating consequences is rising food insecurity. As rainfall becomes erratic and planting seasons
unreliable, farmers struggle to maintain yields. Pastoralists, who depend on
seasonal grazing routes, are finding it increasingly difficult to sustain their
herds. This fuels economic instability,
heightens resource conflicts,
and worsens existing vulnerabilities (FAO, 2023).
Community-Led Solutions: Resilience from the Ground Up
Despite
these daunting challenges, communities across East Africa are stepping up with
innovative, locally driven solutions
that not only mitigate environmental degradation but also restore livelihoods
and dignity.
- In northern Kenya, community
conservancies manage rangelands through rotational grazing systems, allowing vegetation to regenerate
naturally. Local water committees oversee the equitable maintenance and
use of boreholes and water pans (Conservation International, 2021).
- In Ethiopia, community watershed restoration projects
include terracing hillsides,
planting drought-resistant vegetation, and building check dams.
These initiatives, supported by local governments and NGOs, have improved soil fertility and water retention
(World Bank, 2020).
- In Uganda and Tanzania, agroforestry is gaining momentum.
Farmers are planting trees on farmlands and communal spaces to combat
erosion, enhance biodiversity, and provide shade and fodder. Women-led
nurseries are cultivating indigenous tree species, creating both
environmental and economic value (ICRAF, 2021).
- In Somalia, village-based adaptation
plans are taking root. Communities have established drought committees, received
training in climate-smart
agriculture, and begun alternative
livelihoods such as beekeeping and poultry farming (FAO, 2023).
- Information-sharing technologies—such as community
radio, mobile apps, and local networks—are delivering early warning systems and weather
forecasts, helping people make informed decisions to reduce risk
(UNOCHA, 2022).
A Call for Scaled Support
These
grassroots efforts demonstrate that resilience
is possible, even in the face of extreme environmental pressures.
Communities are drawing on traditional
knowledge, cooperation, and innovation to fight back against
desertification and drought.
Yet these
efforts cannot succeed alone. To sustain momentum and scale these solutions, governments, donors, and global stakeholders
must invest consistently in community-led restoration. Doing so not only
protects the environment but also promotes stability, dignity, and opportunity
for millions across East Africa.
References Cited
·
Conservation International. (2021).
Community conservancies in Kenya: A model for sustainable rangeland management.
https://www.conservation.org
·
FAO. (2023). East Africa Drought
Response Plan. Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
https://www.fao.org
·
ICRAF. (2021). Agroforestry solutions in
East Africa. World Agroforestry Centre. https://www.worldagroforestry.org
·
UNCCD. (2022). Desertification: The
invisible frontline. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
https://www.unccd.int
·
UNOCHA. (2022). Drought early warning
and response in the Horn of Africa. United Nations Office for the Coordination
of Humanitarian Affairs. https://www.unocha.org
·
WFP. (2023). Hunger crisis in East
Africa deepens as drought persists. World Food Programme. https://www.wfp.org
·
World Bank. (2020). Community-based
watershed management in Ethiopia: Lessons and success stories.
https://www.worldbank.org
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