Top 5 ways smallholder farmers are fighting the climate crisis
02nd October 2024
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In the vast semi-arid landscape of Africa’s drylands, smallholder farmers are on the frontlines of catastrophic change. From soil degradation to erratic and unpredictable weather, the climate crisis continues to impact people’s lives.
There are an estimated 33 million smallholder farms across Africa, producing up to 70% of the continent’s food supply. Yet people living in rural areas account for 82% of people living in poverty in Africa, 70% of whom derive their income from farming.
Smallholder farmers typically farm on less than a hectare of land and have limited access to finance, markets and training. The effects of the climate crisis are exacerbating an already difficult situation.
But there is hope. While reducing fossil fuel emissions remains crucial, rural small-scale farmers can be supported to adapt and build resilience to the worst effects of climate change. By joining community-led projects, people are coming together to plant climate-smart trees and use nature-positive techniques to bring life back to vital agricultural lands.
Join us for a look at the top ways smallholder farmers are fighting the climate crisis:
1. Planting climate-smart trees
Project participants holding tree seedlings pose for a picture during a tree planting session in Akalwaka, Ghana.
Rising global temperatures are making it harder and harder for smallholder farmers to grow the crops they’ve cultivated for generations. We know that trees provide a vital solution.
How? Planting native, drought-resistant trees like baobab or moringa, helps to re-fertilise land, lock in vital moisture to soil and provide a reliable source of healthy food during periods of severe drought. That’s why growing the right trees in the right places allows farming families to build climate resilience, while tackling its effects.
🌱 See our top 5 trees for planting.
2. Managing land sustainably
Project participant, Mahamdi Nikiema, bends to look at crops growing in a field near his home, in Nobéré, Burkina Faso.
Although many people across Africa’s drylands depend on natural resources for their survival, they are often prevented from accessing and protecting the forests they rely on. Deforestation, harmful use of fertilisers and misuse of forest areas are common problems that smallholders are faced with.
That’s why our projects put forest governance at their core. This is the idea that communities who rely on forests for survival, should be empowered to protect and access forest areas.
This ‘bottom-up’ approach puts local people in the driving seat of climate action, paving the way for lasting changes to the way forests are cared for and managed, whilst protecting the rights of local communities.
3. Nature-positive techniques
A project participant near Yendi, Ghana, practicing agroforestry techniques.
Time and again, nature has proved that it can bounce back - even in the most unlikely conditions. But using nature-positive techniques is key to giving it a fighting chance. And smallholders are leading the way.
One great technique smallholders are using is called agroforestry. This is when farmers encourage the growth and protection of trees within their agricultural lands. As opposed to being a nuisance to crops and livestock, trees actually have a positive effect on land productivity. This is because they boost soil fertility, increase biodiversity and protect crops from both flooding and drought. By practicing agroforestry, smallholders are supporting sustainable agriculture, increasing yields and protecting the environment.
🌳 See our full guide to agroforestry.
4. Investing in green technology
A Tree Aid solar-powered borehole, as shown from above.
When it comes to tackling the climate crisis, African dryland communities represent a vital source of knowledge and talent. Ancient farming techniques such as zai pits are crucial methods for bringing life back to degraded soil.
For many smallholders, combining ancient knowledge with new green technology is a great way of building on generational wisdom and growing better resilience to climate change.
That’s why our community-led projects use innovations such as solar-powered boreholes, which are watering systems powered by the sun. In areas affected by water scarcity and climate change related droughts, these green innovations help smallholders replenish the environment by drawing water up from the earth and distributing it towards waiting tree seedlings or nutrition gardens.
Read more about tech innovations helping the climate crisis.
And while we’re on nutrition gardens 👇
5. Growing food security & enterprises
A community member holds baobab seeds in their hands, Burkina Faso.
Access to healthy and reliable sources of food is key to leading happy, healthy lives. But the effects of the climate crisis are making it difficult for dryland smallholders to grow enough food to eat or sell.
One way communities are tackling this is through creating nutrition gardens. These are specifically designed green areas, owned and managed by the whole community, where nutrient-rich and fast-growing trees are planted. Trees like moringa are packed full of vitamins and protein - in fact, just 100g of moringa leaves contain as much protein as an egg, calcium as a glass of milk, and the same amount of iron as a 200g beef steak!
Another benefit is that communities can sell any surplus produce grown in the gardens at local markets, with the help of training sessions on market analysis and enterprise skills, which help them to fetch fairer prices for their goods.
And once the trees in nutrition gardens are mature enough, they can be re-planted to grow for decades more in forest areas.
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