Over 20 years ago, concerned famers' groups in Kenya and Burkina Faso began to adopt new measures to conserve soil and water and to re-establish trees in their fields. Two videos, Looking after our Land and Building on Traditions, recorded the new participatory approaches for land conservation being developed at that time in various countries. More People, More Trees returns to the same communities, and some of the same people, in Kenya and Burkina Faso to document developments since the original filming. The film shows spectacular changes: most obviously more trees planted and protected by the people themselves aided and encouraged by continuing community projects. More People, More Trees thus highlights a demonstrable success story for community participation in agricultural change in Burkina Faso and Kenya.
In this film, the landscapes tell their own story, but so do the local people. The accompanying book expounds upon the powerful messages in the film and describes the technologies employed by the communities, provides hard data to support their testimonies, and looks at the current challenges of soil conservation in the context of climate change.
Prelims (About the author, Foreword, Preface, Acronyms and abbreviations)
1. New approaches: then and now
2. More people, more trees
3. Continuing challenges, new opportunities
4. Theory, debate and the way forward
Technical Annex 1. Zai and stone lines in Burkina Faso
Technical Annex 2. Parkland agro forestry in Burkina Faso
Technical Annex 3. Fanya juu terraces in Kenya
Technical Annex 4. Grevillea robusta trees in Kenya
Back Matter (Endnotes, References)
William Critchley is a specialist in tropical agricultural development and heads a unit on 'sustainable land management' at the at the VU University Amsterdam's Centre for International Cooperation.