By Charles Muchoki | Africa Guardian
In a world where stories of disasters and escalating food insecurity dominate the headlines, it can be easy to lose hope for positive change. However, through my work on projects that support children and their communities in re-greening their environments, I’ve witnessed remarkable transformations. One of the most impactful methods contributing to this change is the Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) approach.
FMNR is a central element of Re-greening Africa, a collaborative initiative aimed at restoring one million hectares of degraded land across the continent. This project was recently recognized as one of the UN World Restoration Flagships, an honor that highlights efforts to prevent, halt, and reverse ecosystem degradation as part of the UN’s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The success of FMNR demonstrates its immense potential to drive positive environmental change.
Additionally, a global movement has been launched to restore one billion hectares of degraded land worldwide, and we are working with various partners to achieve this ambitious goal.
FMNR is a low-cost land restoration technique designed to enhance food and timber production while boosting resilience to climate extremes. The process involves managing the regrowth of shoots from tree stumps left after trees have been cut down. By carefully pruning these shoots, farmers can allow four or five to regrow rapidly, supported by the existing root system of the felled tree. Over time, this practice provides firewood or fodder for animals and ultimately leads to the restoration of strong, healthy trees. These regrown trees and shrubs play a crucial role in improving soil structure and fertility, preventing erosion, conserving soil moisture, rehabilitating water sources, and enhancing biodiversity.
As mentioned in Leviticus 25:24, “You must provide for the redemption of the land,” and the Re-greening Africa initiative, with FMNR at its core, places land restoration as a top priority. In the 21st century, we have become acutely aware of the severity of the climate crisis. Christians, in particular, acknowledge the over-exploitation of the planet’s resources as a grave sin, and we are called to care more deeply for God’s creation. Our actions have polluted air, rivers, and seas, deforested vast areas, and introduced harmful chemicals into the environment.
Across Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, and other nations, we are collaborating with communities to restore trees, expand existing re-greening practices, and train farmers and local populations in sustainable land management techniques. Agroforestry, the integration of trees with crops and livestock, is a key component of these efforts, providing sustainable land management solutions that are accessible to people regardless of their economic situation.
The FMNR method was pioneered by my colleague, Tony Rinaudo, over 25 years ago in Niger. His work with local farmers has been so successful that FMNR practices have spread to at least 24 African countries, earning Tony the nickname “The Forest Maker.”
FMNR offers numerous economic, social, and environmental benefits and aligns with the goals of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals include improving health, enhancing food security, eliminating poverty, and promoting sustainable community development.
Caring for the environment has far-reaching benefits. Healthy ecosystems produce food and resources, enabling communities to grow sustainably and improving the lives of children and their families. Through our partnership in the Re-greening Africa initiative and the promotion of FMNR, households and communities across several African nations are building resilience and setting themselves up for long-term success with techniques that can be passed down through generations.
This is why environmental stewardship is vital—by caring for the land, we care for the people who depend on it. The world’s most vulnerable children are at the heart of our mission, and our efforts extend beyond FMNR. We amplify the voices of children, as demonstrated by our initiative to bring five young people to the COP28 climate talks last year. There, they shared their experiences and stories of how climate change has affected their families and communities.
Communities in Mali’s Sahel region exemplify the power of FMNR. One farmer, Adama, reported that his crop yield doubled after receiving training in FMNR, going from four bags of millet to eight bags of millet, eight bags of maize, and ten bags of peanuts and beans. Such improvements are crucial for feeding his family of nine children, and they translate into tangible, positive changes in their lives. Adama’s success is a testament to the effectiveness of these methods, which can be shared and implemented within communities.
Given the significant results achieved so far, we are excited to see more communities and landscapes benefit from land restoration techniques and the Re-greening Africa initiative. We remain committed to working with our partners to drive positive change across the continent. It is often the most marginalized and vulnerable people who bear the brunt of environmental degradation and climate change, so we pray for justice in providing resources to those most impacted and in addressing the root causes of climate change. We will continue to stand alongside communities across Africa to make this possible, and we are deeply grateful to all who have supported this vital work.
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