Contract reforestation

About the approach

Contract reforestation is an approach developed by our partner SOS Sahel International Burkina Faso (SOSSIBF). It’s an effective reforestation approach that involves contracting with beneficiaries to make them responsible for maintaining the seedlings, in return for premiums based on the survival rate of the seedlings.

This approach requires the establishment of a climate of trust between the NGO and the beneficiaries, insofar as no financial input is provided at the start of the activity: the producers themselves cover the implementation costs and will have a potential income two years after this human and material investment.

Objective

Combating desertification;
Solve the problem of lack of follow-up and low survival rates generally observed in reforestation operations, especially in rural areas;
Provide short-term motivation to encourage beneficiaries to plant and maintain seedlings for a period of at least two years (the minimum critical period for the survival and sustainability of an afforestation).

Prerequisites for implementing the approach

Raising awareness among stakeholders (producers, technical services, resource persons, etc.);
Reassure growers of the payment of incentive bonuses.

Implementation process

Information/awareness-raising on the approach at local level: producers, local elected representatives, administrative, customary and religious authorities;
Raising awareness of good reforestation and tree care techniques;
Census of volunteers for reforestation

Stakeholders in the implementation

Producers, STD agents.

Direct beneficiaries

Growers, local authorities, associations, cooperatives, state services, private services, etc.

Indirect beneficiaries

The people

Advantages :

Better results than generally observed averages;
Investment based on results;
Low investment costs

This approach has the advantage of obtaining greater community support and a good plant survival rate (over 70%). Promotion of high-nutrition, income-generating local tree species such as moringa, baobab, Acacia macrostachya, etc.