THE NEED

The Sahel’s fragile ecosystem is plagued by poor nutrient soils, water and vegetation resources, placing great strain on the lives of the 60 million people who survive on these lands. The region also borders the southern edge of the Sahara and suffers from frequent drought. These conditions contribute to the cycle of poverty that marks the lives of the vast majority of Sahelien peoples. Finally, agriculture in the form of overgrazing and planting on already exhausted lands has further erodes the productive capacity of agriculture and diminishes the natural resource base.

Therefore, growth and development must be fostered in a sustainable way, involving the following goals:

-The region must revitalize soils with sustainable agricultural practices,

-Involve women in these agricultural processes, and

-The Sahel must find its place the growing global market.

 

LandCare International-Burkina (LCIB) is committed to addressing these challenges. We will initially focus on areas that display the greatest need. Target Villages will be identified by the following criteria:

-Visible environmental degradation, yet with potential for rehabilitation;

-Reasonably strong community leadership and interest in participation;

-Potential for successful adoption of proposed community-driven actions;

-A reasonably accessible location for year-round for extension services and market support

-Absence of other development initiatives that might conflict with the program.