A Landscape Approach to Invest in Africa’s Drylands:Wishful Thinking or a Foundation to Build Resilient Economies?

Monday, 23 September 2013 - Africa Pavilion, 16:00 – 18.00 The Economics of Resilience in the Drylands of Sub-saharan Africa - a PreviewPaola Agostini, World Bank

Landscape Approaches in Practice Experience from Dan Saga, NigerMahamane Larwanou, African Forest Forum Landscape Approaches In AfricaRaffaela Kozar, EcoAgriculture Partners

Building the Economic and Ecological Evidence for a Landscape ApproachErin Gray, World Resources Institute

Chair: Edwige Botoni, CILSSDiscussants: Nora Berrahmouni, FAO, Green Wall Focal Point

François Tapsoba, African Union Commission, FAO

A Landscape Approach to Invest in Africa’s Drylands:Wishful Thinking or a Foundation to Build Resilient Economies?

Monday, 23 September 2013 - Africa Pavilion, 16:00 – 18.00 Objectives

Provide background information on the landscape approach and highlight real-world applications Provide a preview of an upcoming report that builds the economic and ecological evidence

Share stories of effective country applications

BackgroundThe concept of a “landscape approach” is gaining prominence in the international development discourse. It requires taking

both a geographical and socio-economic perspective to managing land, water, and other natural resources.

While current interventions—such as watershed management—have seen some success, Africa’s drylands are increasingly vulnerable to drought, climate change, market fluctuations, and other disturbances. A landscape approach would invest in natural capital and multiple economic sectors to establish a more solid foundation for dryland economies. Decision-makers

are now asking whether this more integrated approach could reduce drylands’ vulnerabilities.

Key questions What is the economic and ecological evidence for a landscape approach to development?

How ready are governments and local communities to act? Can landscape approaches build resilience and food security in drylands better than sectoral approaches?

Please join researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in a side event to discuss these questions and learn how a “landscape approach” can build resilience in Africa’s drylands.