Dry land tree management for improved household livelihoods: Farmer managed natural regeneration in Niger

Abstract

Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), a set of practices farmers use to foster the growth of indigenous trees on agricultural land, has drawn substantial attention as a contributing factor to a trend of increasing vegetation greenness in the Republic of Niger. This paper identifies drivers of FMNR adoption and assesses its impacts on rural households in the Region of Maradi, Niger, an area covering 42,000 square kilometers. The results show that 26% of households practice a form of FMNR involving both pruning and protecting woody vegetation. Adoption is strongly linked to soil type, market access, and the education level of the head of household. FMNR raises household income and increases crop diversity, household migration rates, and the density and diversity of trees on farmland. It is estimated that FMNR raises the annual gross income of the region by between 17 and 21 million USD and has contributed an additional 900,000 to 1,000,000 trees to the local environment. These findings support the value of continued promotion of FMNR as an inexpensive means of enhancing rural livelihoods and an attractive alternative to reforestation efforts relying on tree planting.

Trees in the Agricultural Matrix: Reforestation Processes in a Tropical Dry Landscape in Chinandega, Nicaragua

“…To evaluate variables that influence farmer's decisions about this on-farm tree cover, a household survey was developed to collect data on age, education level, and family size, as well as social capital, economic, and land-use elements (Sood and Mitchell 2009, Haglund et al 2011, Degrande 2013. Participants were asked to share the experiences of past tree planting projects (if any), including project objective, methodology, and species selection.…”

“…Tree adoption has been positively linked to income gains as well as greater species diversity on farms, providing both social and environmental benefits (Haglund et al 2011). …”

“…Studies assessing farmer participation in tree adoption have highlighted several factors as influential, including gender of head of household, landholding size, soil type, market distance, family size and age distribution, (related to labor availability), annual income, irrigation availability, education level, possibly even religion (Haglund et al 2011, Foudnjem-Tita et al 2013, Ashraf et al 2015. Accessibility and tenure of land may also influence management decisions, as well as benefits (both perceived and real), and types and availability of trees (Malla 2012).…”

“…Many landholder needs, including fuel wood, timber, shade, fodder, fruit, and natural medicines may also be addressed by increasing tree cover on their property, improving rural livelihoods and well-being while providing many of the aforementioned ecological services (Barrance 2003, Hall 2010, Place et al 2011). Tree adoption has been positively linked to income gains as well as greater species diversity on farms, providing both social and environmental benefits (Haglund et al 2011). Smallholders who work <2 ha land, the majority of the farms in the study area, and represent some 90% of global farmers can particularly benefit from an increase in resilience through diversified tree plantings (World Bank 2007).…”

“…If tree density on farms can be increased, as farmers clearly have an interest in promoting, natural regeneration of some species may be increased with improved genetic variation, pollen flow and seed dispersal, improving biodiversity while increasing habitat provision, ecosystem services, and adding value for landholders (Fuchs et al 2003, Barrance 2003, Wishnie 2007, Hall 2010, Haglund et al 2011, Tschamtke et al 2012, Mendoza et al 2014, Benegas et al 2014.…”