Deforestation and unsustainable land use have degraded soils, altered rainfall patterns and increased the incidence of extreme weather events, especially in Africa. And across Sub-Saharan Africa, damaged land is not only an environmental burden, but can also spell economic disaster. Tree planting on degraded land, for example, can increase agricultural productivity by anchoring farmland, increasing soil fertility, and providing shade for crops and livestock. To accelerate restoration efforts in Africa, communities must be mobilised, and farmers must be empowered to restore their own land. Land restoration is not a choice; it is a necessity.

Source: Ethiopian News November 16, 2016 14:00 UTC