Improving farmer productivity with agroforestry in Senegal

Why this project?

In Senegal, decades of peanut monocropping have degraded soils, harmed biodiversity, and left communities vulnerable to economic instability and climate change. Together with Veritree and Mother Trees, we are empowering 6,000 farming families to restore 30,000 hectares of land around the Ndankou and Patte Forests. This community-driven initiative integrates innovative agroforestry with ancestral knowledge, revitalizing ecosystems and fostering food security, biodiversity, and economic resilience across the Gambia River Watershed.

Supporting rural communities in Senegal

The conventional crop intensification model has failed many rural communities in Senegal, jeopardizing livelihoods, degrading soils, contributing to biodiversity loss, and increasing food insecurity. Peanut monocropping has led to adverse environmental and economic impacts. Despite successful past management, the Ndankou and Patte Forests face threats such as encroaching peanut farming and reduced forest cover.

The Senegal program takes a holistic approach to restoring as much of the 30,000 hectares of degraded land surrounding the forests as possible, starting with 6,000 farming families, each cultivating one hectare. By rehabilitating degraded lands, implementing sustainable practices, and fostering community ownership, the program aims to contribute to the long-term richness and sustainability of the Gambia River Watershed. 

Nearly 60% of the rural population in Senegal depends on agriculture. We will address the drivers of environmental degradation by supporting local communities to tackle food insecurity while also creating economic opportunities provided by agroforestry. Providing tailored training, flexible schedules, and larger farming plots for women. Utilizing geospatial layers to track deforestation, land use, and overgrazing.

How we're making an impact

Nearly 60% of Senegal’s rural population relies on agriculture. To address the root causes of environmental degradation, we focus on:

• Agroforestry for food security and economic resilience: Introducing diversified tree planting and sustainable farming methods to restore soil health, improve crop yields, and create new income opportunities. We will plant over 10 tree species, including tamarind, banana, silk cotton, mammoth baobab, and mahogany—with an estimated 75% survivability rate.

• Empowering women in agriculture: providing tailored training, flexible work schedules, and larger farming plots to support female farmers in achieving economic independence.

• Leveraging technology for sustainability: using geospatial data layers to monitor deforestation, land use, and overgrazing, ensuring long-term success.

• Restoring habitats for local wildlife: strengthening biodiversity across the Gambia River Watershed, in particular for the White-Headed Vulture, African Long-Tail Thread Snake, African Slender-Snouted Crocodile, and Baboons.

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