The Sahara is a giant that never stops growing, devouring fertile lands and threatening the populations of the Sahel. But the inhabitants of this region are not standing by and watching: armed with ancient agricultural techniques and the support of the World Food Program, have found an ingenious way to stop desertification. And the results are surprising.
Traditional techniques that save the soil
In the Sahel, the strip of land that extends along the southern edge of the Sahara, local communities are rediscovering ancestral methods to combat desertification. The main techniques are the “mezzanine"And the"zai holes“, strategic excavations in the ground that capture and retain rainwater.
The system is simple but incredibly effective: instead of letting water run off during rare but intense seasonal rains, these methods allow the soil to gradually absorb it.
A virtuous cycle of regeneration that stops desertification
This intelligent water management triggers a natural regeneration process. Plants have time to develop and grow, creating a microclimate more favorable which in turn promotes further plant growth. The result is a virtuous circle that progressively improves soil quality.
In Niger, the results are tangible: in the last five years, half a million people have achieved food self-sufficiency thanks to these projects. A concrete example of how the most effective solutions are sometimes found in the wisdom of the past: as long as we have the ability to recover them and adapt them to reality.
If this sounds familiar, we've previously covered
la Great Green Wall on a more macro level.
The future comes from the past
The most sophisticated solutions are not always the most effective (this should be explained to those who are sorcerer's apprentices with some geoengineering): sometimes, a deep understanding of the territory passed down through generations can offer surprisingly valid answers to contemporary environmental challenges.
The hope is that this approach can be replicated in other regions facing similar challenges. Will it be so? We'll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, check out this video:
