Prosopis and leucaena against desertification

The Niger village of Kokorou 260 km (161 miles) away from Niamey is being threatened by the spread of the desert and shifting sands. For this reason a two-year programme has been set up to rehabilitate the environment and to improve agricultural production. Particular emphasis is placed on local community involvement in the project. For this scheme, and for the protection of Kokorou, it was necessary to set up an enclosed nursery, covering an area of approximately 2,500 square metres. The nursery is equipped with a water tank and a well, and should produce about 500,000 plants of tree species which are resistant to drought. Among the species grown will be varieties of prosopis and leucaena. Prosopis, a thorny, rapidly growing tree has the advantage of high natural resistancy to pests as well as being an excellent source of forage for animals. This tree is of obvious interest for the Sahel region because it does not require pruning. It spreads along the ground and helps to re-establish the soil, protecting it both from strong winds in the dry season and from strong sunlight. The leucaena species originated in Mexico and is a very fast-growing perennial tree. Under favourable conditions it can reach a height of six to nine metres (20 to 29 feet); it responds well to pruning at any stage of its growth. Leucaena needs little attention and is an extremely hardy plant which adapts well to large variations in sunlight, rainfall, temperature and soil salinity. It is a highly resistant species and shows no special vulnerability to attack by insects, pests or diseases, which cause vascular diseases or root rot.The Niger village of Kokorou 260 km (161 miles) away from Niamey is being threatened by the spread of the desert and shifting sands. For this reason a two-year programme has been set up to rehabilitate the environment and to improve agricultural..