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AfricaRice at UNCCD CoP16: Accelerating Land Restoration in Lowland-Based Systems in Africa

Participants during the side event at the Food and Agriculture Pavilion. (Credit: AfricaRice)

From December 2 to 13, 2024, a delegation from Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), led by its Director General, Dr. Baboucarr Manneh, actively participated in the 16th session of the Conference of Parties (CoP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This global gathering centered on raising ambition and accelerating action for land and drought resilience through a people-centered approach.

AfricaRice’s involvement highlighted its commitment to restoring Africa’s lowland systems and ensuring sustainable food production. The organization hosted two impactful side events on Accelerating Land Restoration in Lowland-Based Systems in Africa, held at:

Addressing a Critical Challenge

Land degradation in Africa’s lowlands impacts 65% of arable land, cutting agricultural productivity by up to 50% and causing annual crop losses of 280 million tons. Since 1970, 42% of Africa’s lowlands have been lost, undermining crucial ecosystem services such as carbon storage and flood control. Climate change exacerbates these issues, with 30% of lowland agricultural areas at risk of further degradation by 2050.

While inaction could cost $127 billion annually, land restoration offers potential economic benefits of $35 billion per year. AfricaRice’s side events brought together policymakers, researchers, and development partners to explore strategies for reversing this trend and scaling inclusive, climate-smart restoration solutions.

Key Solutions and Innovations

1. Inclusive Landscape Planning:

  • Participatory mapping of lowlands using Digital Elevation Models.

  • Community-driven, inclusive landscape management processes.

2. Inclusive Land Restoration Technologies:

  • Agroforestry Systems: Techniques like farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR) and Zaï pits to restore soil fertility and water retention.

  • Smart-Valleys: A low-cost, participatory approach to water control, increasing yields and incomes in lowland rice-based systems.

  • Integrated Rice-Fish Systems: Enhancing biodiversity, reducing chemical use, and increasing farmer income.

  • Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD): Water-saving irrigation that cuts greenhouse gas emissions.

3. Climate-Smart Practices:

  • Stress-tolerant rice varieties resilient to drought, submergence, and salinity.

  • Biochar application for improving soil health and reducing greenhouse gases.

  • Climate-Smart Villages (CSV): Community-based approaches integrating science, partnerships, and policy dialogues for sustainable land use.

Collaborative Efforts for Africa’s Future

The sessions underscored the importance of partnerships between AfricaRice, CGIAR, national agricultural research systems (NARS), and development partners. Discussions emphasized inclusive frameworks, innovative tools, and investment strategies to unlock the agricultural potential of Africa’s lowlands while safeguarding environmental sustainability.

“Partnership is critical, but getting it right is the real challenge. It is key to start by mapping what we need and identifying the right partners. In the development sector where CGIAR operates, partnerships must ensure we address the needs of those requiring our innovations while co-innovating effectively.” explained Dr. Cargele Masso, Director of CGIAR’s Impact Area Platform. Scaling innovations requires more than donor-driven funding: it demands country investments and collaboration with development banks and the range of partners must be broad, ensuring no one is left behind; added Dr. Cargele.

AfricaRice’s active role at UNCCD CoP16 reaffirmed its leadership in leveraging science and partnerships to drive sustainable transformation in African agriculture. Through collaborative action, the restoration of Africa’s lowlands can become a reality, contributing to food security, ecosystem services, and resilient livelihoods.

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