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The African Sahel has often been in the news since the devastating dry spells of the 1970s. Since then, considerable development aid was given to improve food security and eradicate poverty. The belief exists, true or not, that too little progress has been archieved. The subject matter proved more complex than expected. This resulted in a profusion of publications, books, conferences, and dedicated research institutions on the subject. Why then a new book on the issue?

The book 'AGRO-SILVO-PASTORAL LAND USE IN SAHELIAN VILLAGES' synthesises the result of ten years´ research by Wageningen University in partnership with the University of Ouagadougou. The aim was to ascertain the conditions under which Sahelian villages are able and willing to improve the productivity of their natural resources and subsequently use and manage these resources in a sustainable way. Over the years, a large group of scientists performed interdiciplinary studies on various actor groups, on the extreme dynamic nature of Sahelian natural resources and on ways and means of enhancing agricultural production. The latter was carried at various levels of intensification, i.e. with alternative interventions reflecting different technology levels.Major findings were incorporated into a framework that allowed a holistic analysis of land use that is now used as a tool to guide rural development.

There is no simple panacea for the multitude of problems and the prospects for improvement over the next ten years may prove to be limited and difficult. But there is also no reason for doomsday scenarios. International aid, solidarity and commitment will remain pre-requisites for devolpment.

This book is of interest to a wide readership, African specialists and others. Social scientists will learn much about the perception of land use in Sahelian villages. Soil and water experts and ecoliogists will be interested in the dynamics of Sahelian natural recources. Economists and policy-makers will find viable developments paths to improve food security. Finally, it will appeal to those interested in well-documented studies ranging from disciplinary knowledge into interdisciplinary understanding.

Contents

Prologue
Introduction

Chapter 1

TjeerdJan Stomph, Nico de Ridder, Teunis van Rheenen and Leo Stroosnijder
Sahelian Village Land Use in a Systems Perspective

Chapter 2 Dynamics of Actors in Sahelian Villages

Introduction

Abdoulaye Mando, Teunis van Rheenen, Leo Stroosnijder and Rose Nikiema
Village Land Use in Burkina Faso: ‘Gestion Terroir’

Jan de Graaff, Rose Nikiema, Grégoire Tapsoba and Suzanne Nederlof
Socio-economic Land Use Analysis in Sahelian Villages

Suzanne Nederlof, Gerard Verschoor, Jan de Graaff and Teunis van Rheenen
Actor Groups in Sahelian Villages According to a Participatory Classification

Nico de Ridder, Jan de Graaf, Leo Stroosnijder, Maja Slingerland, TjeerdJan Stomph and Paul Kiepe
Major Production Activities, Labour Needs and Prices in Sahelian Villages

Jan de Graaff, Mark Breusers and Teunis van Rheenen
Reflections on Dynamics of Actors in Sahelian Villages

Chapter 3 Natural Resources Dynamics in Sahelian Villages

Introduction

Michel Mulders, Johan Leenaars and Adama Belemviré
Soil Resources in Sahelian Villages

Paul Kiepe, Abdoulaye Mando, Wim Spaan and Willem Hoogmoed
Dynamics of Soil Resources in Sahelian Villages

David Niemeijer and Valentina Mazzucato
Productivity of Soil Resources in Sahelian Villages

Willem Hoogmoed, Leo Stroosnijder and Philippe Yanogo
Water Resources in Sahelian Villages

Maja Slingerland and André Kiema
Vegetation Resources in Sahelian Villages

Leo Stroosnijder and Teunis van Rheenen
Reflections on Natural Resources Dynamics in Sahelian Villages

Chapter 4 Interventions by Land Users in Sahelian Villages

Introduction

Nido de Ridder, Leo Stroosnijder and TjeerdJan Stomph
Crop Production in Sahelian Villages

Leo Stroosnijder, Nico de Ridder and Paul Kiepe
Nutrient Balances in Sahelian Villages

Paul Kiepe, Nico de Ridder, Leo Stroosnijder, Jan de Graaff, Maja Slingerland and Fidèle Hien
Soil and Water Conservation in Sahelian Villages

Maja Slingerland and Moumini Savadogo
Rangeland Production in Sahelian Villages

Maja Slingerland and Moumini Savadogo
Livestock Production in Sahelian Villages

Maja Slingerland and Freerk Wiersum
Wood Production in Sahelian Villages

Max Rietkerk and Pieter Ketner
Effect of Grazing on Vegetation in Sahelian Villages

Nico de Ridder and Maja Slingerland
Reflections on Interventions by Land Users in Sahelian Villages

Chapter 5 Prospects of Land Use in Sahelian Villages

Introduction

Nico de Ridder, Teunis van Rheenen, Leo Stroosnijder and JanWillem Nibbering
Placing Sahelian Village Land Use in a Linear Context

Teunis van Rheenen, Nico de Ridder, JanWillem Nibbering, Leo Stroosnijder and Jan de Graaff
Land Use Prospects in Sahelian Villages Using Traditional Production Practices

Leo Stroosnijder, Teunis van Rheenen, Abdoulaye Mando and Mamadou Zerbo
Land Use Prospects in Sahelian Villages Using Improved Production Practices

Teunis van Rheenen, Leo Stroosnijder, Nico de Ridder, Abdoulaye Mando and Paul Kiepe
Land Use Prospects in the Sahel Using Targeted Development Interventions

JanWillem Nibbering, Suzanne Nederlof, Annemarie van Paassen, Arianne Idzenga, Teunis van Rheenen and Leo Stroosnijder
Prospects of SHARES: Bridging the Gap

Teunis van Rheenen, Nico de Ridder, JanWillem Nibbering and Leo Stroosnijder
Reflections on Prospects of Land Use in Sahelian Villages

Leo Stroosnijder and Teunis van Rheenen
Epilogue: Introduction ▪ Natural Resources Degradation ▪ Agricultural Intensification ▪ Poverty Alleviation ▪ The Role of Interdisciplinary Strategie Research ▪ Changing our Research Approach

Definitions of Sahelian Land Use

Variables, Coefficients and Indices Used in the SHARES Land Use Analysis Approach

About the Authors