Silvopastoralism: A Win-Win Solution for Drylands in North Africa

 Silvopastoralism: A Win-Win Solution for Drylands in North Africa

In many dryland areas of North Africa, particularly in Tunisia and Morocco, forest restoration efforts often come into conflict with the needs of pastoralist communities. While these communities rely on grazing lands for their livestock, governments are promoting reforestation to combat land degradation. However, without community involvement and sustainable practices, grazing can damage forest ecosystems. This article explores how silvopastoralism—the integration of tree planting and livestock grazing—offers a sustainable, cost-effective, and inclusive solution.

Understanding Silvopastoralism

Silvopastoralism is a land management system that combines:

• Tree cultivation

• Grassland restoration

• Controlled grazing of livestock

When done responsibly, this system not only improves ecological health but also supports the livelihoods of pastoralists, ensuring a balanced approach to land use.

Case Study: Tunisia

In Tunisia, a project titled Sustainable Silvopastoral Restoration to Promote Ecosystem Services was implemented by FAO, the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), and Direction Générale des Forêts de Tunisie.

Key Interventions:

• Reseeding ecosystems with sulla (Hedysarum coronarium), a native legume that improves soil health and provides nutritious fodder.

• Assessing the regeneration of drought-resistant plants like saltbush, carob, medic tree, and cactus pear.

• Forming agreements between local communities and authorities based on carrying capacity to manage grazing periods.

Results:

• Biomass yield increased tenfold at restored sites compared to control areas.

• Cost of livestock feeding dropped from TND 0.90 (USD 0.30) to TND 0.35 (USD 0.12) per animal per day.

• The approach proved both economically and environmentally beneficial.

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Case Study: Morocco

Morocco adopted a legal and financial approach to promote forest restoration by involving pastoral communities directly.

Key Features:

• Introduced a compensation program under a legal framework from 2002.

• Provided financial incentives to local grazing associations to exclude grazing in certain forest areas.

• Communities scheduled grazing periods and ensured land recovery.

Impact:

• Over 175 grazing associations were formed by 2019.

• Around 101,000 hectares of forest land were protected and closed for grazing.

• Reduction in grazing offences and improvement in forest regeneration.

• The program was funded through a levy on wood imports, making it sustainable.

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Lessons Learned and Way Forward

1. Multifunctional Land Use: Restoration projects that integrate grazing, farming, and forestry offer benefits for both people and nature.

2. Community Involvement: Local people must be involved in planning and decision-making to ensure the long-term success of restoration programs.

3. Blending Science with Traditional Knowledge: Policymaking should consider both scientific research and the traditional practices of pastoral communities.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Source - Case study 11: Improving the local governance of forest resources to deliver benefits for agriculture and forest restoration. (Knowledge Management Elements in FAO’s ‘State of the World’s Forests 2024’ Report