The Great Green Wall, an ambitious African Union-led initiative to combat desertification in the Sahel region, has faced significant challenges in its nearly two decades of existence. The project, which aims to plant a 5,000-mile-long band of trees across 11 countries, has only reached about 30% completion, with many of the planted seedlings failing to survive. This slow progress and high mortality rate have significant implications for the agriculture sector and investors involved in the project.
The Great Green Wall was conceived as a means to protect farmers, secure food supplies, and address issues like migration and extremism. However, the slow disbursement of funds and the lack of local infrastructure to manage these funds have hindered progress. Wealthy nations have pledged over $20 billion, but the complex approval process and lack of local distribution mechanisms have delayed the flow of money to where it is needed most.
For the agriculture sector, the implications are profound. The Sahel region is highly dependent on agriculture, and desertification threatens the livelihoods of millions of farmers. The failure of the Great Green Wall to make significant progress means that the agricultural sector continues to face the risk of land degradation, reduced crop yields, and increased food insecurity. The lack of greening in the region also means that the potential benefits of improved soil fertility, increased biodiversity, and enhanced carbon sequestration are not being realized.
Investors, too, face challenges. The slow progress and high seedling mortality rates raise questions about the effectiveness of the current approach. Investors need to see tangible results to justify their financial commitments. The recent study highlighting the low success rate of tree planting efforts in Senegal underscores the need for a more data-driven approach. Instead of focusing on the number of trees planted, satellite data should be used to assess actual greening and the impact on the landscape.
The researchers suggest that governments should reward success generously, shifting the focus from symbolic pledges to measurable outcomes. This approach could attract more investment and ensure that funds are used more effectively. For investors, this means looking for projects that demonstrate clear, verifiable results and have robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in place.
In conclusion, the Great Green Wall initiative faces significant challenges, but there are also opportunities for improvement. By adopting a more data-driven approach and focusing on measurable outcomes, the project can better address the needs of the agriculture sector and attract more investment. The future of the Great Green Wall depends on its ability to deliver tangible results, ensuring that the benefits of reforestation are realized for the people and the environment of the Sahel region.