A successful example of achieving food security while adapting to climate change, catalyzed by farmers and scaled-up by effective aid.

After the devastating droughts of the 1970s and 1980s, African farmers in the Sahel region mobilized to reclaim their land from the encroaching desert. 30 years later, their work has secured 13 million acres of farmland, fed three million people, recharged village wells, and supplied useful and valuable tree products. Despite growing populations and the threats of climate change, food security has improved in the Sahel region.

Mr. Yacouba Sawadogo is a lead farmer and natural resource innovator, in the Yatenga province, Burkina Faso. Dr. Chris Reij is a Natural Resource Management Specialist, with the Center for International Cooperation. Dr. Edwige Botoni is a Senior Coordinator, “Sahel Study,” Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel. Ms. Sakina Mati is the Director, village agro-forestry committee, in Maradi, Niger.