Pasiecznik, N; Choge, S; Fre, Z; Tsegay, B; Parra, F; (2015) The Great Green Forest is here and expanding all on its own: A call for action. In: Proceedings of International Conference on Resilience, Research and Innovation 2015. : Djibouti.

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Abstract

Prosopis juliflora is recognized as one of the most invasive tree species worldwide. Following widespread introductions throughout arid and semi-arid regions of Africa and throughout the world, it has spread rapidly, threatening natural ecosystems and livelihoods. Control through utilization as a resource is now accepted as the way forward in developing countries, but efforts have so far been uncoordinated, with only isolated impacts. This paper reports on the global state of knowledge and recent advances, but focuses on prosopis-related research and innovations from IGAD member countries; the successes, failures, challenges and opportunities. It underlines the need to build and apply scientific knowledge to scale up new, resilient, drought-proof livelihood options in the Greater Horn of Africa and elsewhere where introduced, from value-added prosopis wood and non wood products. The authors estimate that there are at least five million hectares of prosopis forest across the region of the perhaps ten million throughout Africa, and growing significantly in extent every year. Experiences from the native range such as in Peru are well documented, where community associations sustainably manage and make a living from fuel, fodder, food, honey and timber from their prosopis forests. Efforts in Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya have had mixed results, but milling the sweet protein-rich pods into animal feed is becoming increasingly popular with the introduction of appropriate small scale technologies. Its use as a human food ingredient has also been promoted, though with little uptake, but there is sharp rise in the use of prosopis charcoal in the region, and the possibility of electricity generation using wood chips (bioenergy), with the transfer of experiences from India where there are at least 15 power stations fueled entirely by prosopis. But much more can be done by applying scientific knowledge and innovation to enhance the role of prosopis in improving food security, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and building resilience for millions of the poorest rural and urban people in the Greater Horn of Africa, with great potential for exchange and scaling up in other arid areas in Africa, Asia and the Americas. This paper is a call to the African Union, national governments, IGAD, IFAD, FAO, the Arab League and other international, regional and bilateral donors, to come together and support a regional research and development programme to push the frontiers on prosopis management and utilization and develop a transnational strategy, as the impacts are potentially enormous and immediate. The initial objectives are to take stock of existing knowledge and practices, assess prosopis forest areas throughout the region, estimate wood and pod volumes and production rates, document prosopis management and utilization experiences, enhance South-South knowledge sharing, and rapidly and effectively scale up the successes.

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