Faidherbia albida offers shade and soil fertility in Northern Cameroon’s arid regions. Photo by Noah Elhardt/Wikimedia Commons

In Northern Cameroon’s arid and semi-arid landscapes, where traditional agriculture increasingly struggles due to climate change and soil degradation, a sustainable solution is emerging: agroforestry, more specifically, Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR).

FMNR focuses on nurturing the natural growth of young, spontaneous plants. Through this approach, farmers revitalize depleted ecosystems by protecting and nurturing spontaneous plant growth and boosting soil fertility. It also provides diverse and sustainable sources of income for local farmers and their families. But the benefits go beyond economics. This method preserves biodiversity and ensures that essential ecosystem services—on which entire communities depend—are sustained for the future.

At the heart of this agroforestry transformation stands the Faidherbia albida tree. Renowned for its hardiness and versatility, this species offers a lifeline to the environment and local livelihoods.

Standing tall with a trunk 2.25 meters wide, this Faidherbia albida tree exemplifies resilience and vitality in arid landscapes. Photos by SA Plants/ Wikimedia Commons

A botanical wonder renowned for its resilience, Faidherbia albida thrives in harsh environments thanks to its deep roots that reach groundwater reserves, granting it exceptional drought resistance. Its nitrogen-fixing properties restore soil vitality, and its resilience to extreme heat and salinity makes it a perfect fit for agroforestry in Northern Cameroon’s harsh climates.

Recently, a study carried out as part of the Innovation for the Adaptation to Climate Change (INNOVACC) project delves into the benefits of Faidherbia-centric agroforestry. It highlights three decades of agroforestry practices in northern Cameroon, tracing the rise of these techniques since the 1990s and spotlighting the many projects and studies that have helped spread their adoption. The study underscores how the Faidherbia tree contributes to the lives of Sahelian populations.

The findings highlight some of the tree’s impacts:

• Boosting agricultural yields

In Northern Cameroon, agroforestry plots, especially those based on Faidherbia albida, are crucial to boosting legume production. Analyses conducted in the region on the productivity of cotton crops show a clear link between improved soil fertility and the tree’s presence, particularly in younger agroforestry parks (around 15 to 50 years old) where soil quality had been poor. In these areas, Faidherbia has profoundly impacted cotton crop yields, proving itself a critical ally for farmers.

• A reliable source of wood energy

In this region, where over 95% of households depend on firewood for cooking, Faidherbia albidia plays a vital role in energy provision. A study of wood-energy consumption (Marquant 2012) conducted in the villages of Gané and Sirlawé found that the Faidherbia agroforestry parks could supply up to 25% of the villages’ domestic wood energy needs. That represents the equivalent of 2 kg/inhabitants/day in Gané and 0.9 kg/inhabitants/day in Sirlawé. Plus, the tree’s crown can be pruned every six to eight years, yielding an excellent fuel source wood with a calorific value of 4,720 kcal per kilogram. This availability of local wood eases the burden on women who would otherwise travel hours to gather firewood.

• A source of food and fodder supplement 

In addition to energy, Faidherbia albida provides essential feed for livestock during the dry season, when natural fodder becomes scarce. Due to its unique phenology—where leaves and pods mature in the dry season—the tree offers critical animal sustenance, helping herders maintain their livestock through difficult periods.

While Faidherbia-based agroforestry offers substantial direct benefits—improving soil fertility, providing firewood, and offering fodder—its long-term success depends on several factors. Ensuring secure land tenure, the legal right to harvest products, sustainable management (such as regular pruning) and effective local forestry oversight are all essential. Equally important is ongoing support from development projects, companies, and the government, alongside disseminating research that can influence policy.

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Innovation for Adaptation to Climate Change (INNOVACC) project, funded by the European Union. This project is being implemented by a consortium of international and national research institutions, namely the Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry, the Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement, the Institut de recherche agricole pour le développement and the Fondation Energies pour le Monde.