Social and cultural dimensions
Adopting the practice
Ultimately, FMNR practices were adopted by virtue of its simplicity and “intrinsic flexibility” (Pye-Smith 2013: 28): it enables farmers to decide when and how much to prune trees. In addition to the many ecological benefits (apparent in other areas of our report), from a livelihoods perspective, trees provide the following social benefits: fodder for animals, firewood (which women consequently spend less time foraging for), fruit and medicinal ingredients (for home consumption or sale) and higher crop yields, particularly local staple cereals of sorghum and millet (Pye-Smith, 2013). With trees now serving as windbreaks, farmers only need to plant once. In the past, they would have to seed their crops 3-4 times because the wind would persistently blow them away (Larwanou & Reij, 2011).
A shift in perception
In 2004, a new forestry code was implemented, recognizing farmers as owners of the trees on their lands (ibid: 27). Displacing ownership further contributed to altering famers’ perception of trees as a “weed” or “nuisance” (Mamoudi 2011) to “treasures” (Pye-Smith 2013: 29). In villages where FMNR is practiced today, farmers have elected committees to manage trees (Pye-Smith 2013: 29) marking a true shift in sociocultural values towards trees, and sustainable land management at large.
Ultimately, FMNR practices were adopted by virtue of its simplicity and “intrinsic flexibility” (Pye-Smith 2013: 28): it enables farmers to decide when and how much to prune trees. In addition to the many ecological benefits (apparent in other areas of our report), from a livelihoods perspective, trees provide the following social benefits: fodder for animals, firewood (which women consequently spend less time foraging for), fruit and medicinal ingredients (for home consumption or sale) and higher crop yields, particularly local staple cereals of sorghum and millet (Pye-Smith, 2013). With trees now serving as windbreaks, farmers only need to plant once. In the past, they would have to seed their crops 3-4 times because the wind would persistently blow them away (Larwanou & Reij, 2011).
A shift in perception
In 2004, a new forestry code was implemented, recognizing farmers as owners of the trees on their lands (ibid: 27). Displacing ownership further contributed to altering famers’ perception of trees as a “weed” or “nuisance” (Mamoudi 2011) to “treasures” (Pye-Smith 2013: 29). In villages where FMNR is practiced today, farmers have elected committees to manage trees (Pye-Smith 2013: 29) marking a true shift in sociocultural values towards trees, and sustainable land management at large.