Publication: Tree-Based Production Systems for Africa’s Drylands
Date
2016-08-19
ISSN
Published
2016-08-19
Author(s)
Place, Frank
Garrity, Dennis
Mohan, Sid
Agostini, Paola
Abstract
Tree-based production systems have enormous potential to reduce vulnerability and increase the
resilience of households living in dryland regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. Trees are key providers
of biomass, which is critical for many livelihood needs. Wood from trees is the leading source of
energy in many dryland countries and is an important construction material. Foliage and pods from
trees and shrubs are the most important source of feed for camels and goats, which are the dominant
livestock species in the more arid parts of the drylands. Trees and shrubs offer enhanced
sources of the organic matter needed to improve the structure and raise the fertility of soils used for
agriculture. Many parts of trees provide different medicinal products for people. And fruits and
vegetable foliage harvested from trees are important seasonal food sources for people living in
drylands, and for sale.
The benefi ts from trees take on added value when one considers that they are relatively impervious
to many of the shocks that affect other production systems, especially livestock keeping and
agriculture. Trees, with their deep rooting systems, maintain their standing value and offer some
production even in drought years. They are therefore a good buffer against climatic risk and are a
critical element in a diversifi cation strategy designed to maintain levels of consumption and income
in good times and bad. In addition, their value can be tapped when it is most needed: wood from
trees can be harvested throughout the year, and many annual tree products are harvested at times
different from the times when annual crops are harvested.
Tree-Based Production Systems for Africa’s Drylands identifi es some of the most promising
investment opportunities at the level of tree-based systems, species (products), and well-defi ned
management practices for accelerating rural economic growth in the drylands.
Citation
“Place, Frank; Garrity, Dennis; Mohan, Sid; Agostini, Paola. 2016. Tree-Based Production Systems for Africa’s Drylands. World Bank Studies;. © Washington, DC: World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/24813 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”