Division Afrique Enhancing integrated soil fertility management through the carbon market to combat resource degradation in overpopulated Sahelian countries H. Breman, A. Gakou, A. Mando and M. Wopereis IFDC-Africa (Lomé TOGO)

Division Afrique I. Introduction  why C-sequestration as tool for more sustainable agriculture has a better chance of success than as goal in itself  how C-sequestration can be part of an enabling environment for more sustainable agriculture in the Sahel Goal Explaining  why C-sequestration is a difficult task for Sahelian countries

Division Afrique  More productive, remunerative and sustainable agriculture through Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM)  Contribution of C-sequestration  Overpopulation, a serious bottleneck for sustainable land use and C-sequestration Structure  ISFM x C-sequestration in practice

Division Afrique II Overpopulation, a serious bottleneck for sustainable land use and C-sequestration Overexploitation = negative C-balance Simple solution (= use of fertilizer) has limited accessibility Overpopulation = overexploitation of natural resources

Division Afrique Carrying capacity of agro-pastoral systems of Sahelian countries and their population density zone carrying capacity 1 ) population density 1) 2) North Sahel10 – 12 South Sahel1112 – 46 Soudanian savannah 3712 – 112 Guinea savannah ) persons / km 2 ; 2) in view of the 1985 density and a growth rate of 3%

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III. More productive, remunerative and sustainable agriculture through ISFM maize crop establishment maize at end of cycle ControlISFM ControlISFM

Division Afrique ISFM improvement of crop yield and fertilizer profitability in West Africa. farmer’s practicesafter 4 years of ISFM cereal yield kg/ha VCR fertilizers 1) cereal yield kg/ha VCR fertilizers 1) maize; bush field 7502 – 5 2) 2,7504 maize; compound field 3,0005 2) 4,60012 sorghum1,0002 – 5 2) 1,8008 cotton1,15052,0008 irrigated rice3,00085, )value incremental yield/fertilizer cost; 2) no fertilizer use by farmers; estimates, based on fertilizer recovery data.

Division Afrique IV. An enabling environment for change  Strategic site selection enables local change ISFM more than technology  Improved socio-economic and policy environment enables general change

Division Afrique Criteria: isfm potential (not representativiness) Strategic site selection: favorable conditions for fertiliser use isfm potential:  favorable soil and climate  irrigation systems  market access; reasonable prices  efficient transport and distribution

Division Afrique Conditions to be fulfilled Socio-economic and policy environment, enabling  farmers to invest in their soil;  private sector to invest in input and output market development Functioning development triangle, effective cooperation between farmers’ organizations, the private sector and public services

Division Afrique V. Contribution of C-sequestration Carbon credits, a small contribution to soil investments C-sequestration in crop-, range- and forest land

Division Afrique Variability of above and below ground OM (t/ha dry matter) under different conditions in Sahelian countries SahelSoudanian Savannah Guinea Savannah 1) SOM well protected natural vegetation exploited present vegetations cropland and over-exploited rangeland intensive and sustainable agriculture1837 above and below ground plant biomass well protected natural vegetation41963 exploited present vegetations31555 cropland and over-exploited rangeland2925 intensive and sustainable agriculture ) Careful ( limited data )

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The carbon sequestration potential of Sahelian coun SahelSoudanian Savannah Guinea Savannah improving cropland 1) SOM1 to 94 to to + 7 roots0.5 to 10.5 to 3- 1 to + 5 above ground0.5 to 10.5 to 3- 4 to + 5 Total 1) 2 to 115 to to + 19 improving range and forestland SOM51020 roots0.512 above ground0.523 Total ) two extremes, intensive agriculture based on annual crops, all trees eliminated from the fields to allow for tractor plowing, and agroforestry;

Division Afrique VI. ISFM x C-sequestration in practice  Strategic site selection, a private and a public angle of incidence  Public angle of incidence  ISFM options

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ISFM production systems favorable for C-sequestration in dry West Africa with agro-ecological recommendation domains fertilizer use, crop by-product recirculation and: recommendation domain semi-arid improved fodder situation and range management pastoral production improved crop production and resources managem. agro(-pastoral) production sub-humid perennial fodder bankspastoral production leguminous fodder or perennial pastures 1) agro(-pastoral) production park land agro(-pastoral) production 1) in rotation with cereals and other crops!

Division Afrique Agroforestry, an ISFM option

Division Afrique Thank you for your attention.