A new tool “The Solutions-tree: Solutions to halting deforestation – through sustainable agrifood systems transformation” which aims to help countries fight deforestation, was previewed today together with other innovations co-created with African countries at an event co-hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF), the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), the UN-REDD‘ African Forest Forum (AFF) initiative, at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9). The tool is aligned with FAO’s efforts to collaborate with countries, international organizations and institutions to demonstrate how co-created knowledge and cross-sectoral collaboration can play a key role in halting deforestation while boosting economies, livelihoods and sustainable agriculture.
While deforestation rate decreased between 2010 and 2020, Africa – and the world – still faces an major challenge in overcoming this complex and persistent crisis, rooted in range of direct and underlying factors, including governance issues, competition for land among economic sectors, poverty, and insecure land tenure.
Key solutions to halt and reverse deforestation lie in transforming how key commodities (in the case of Africa, especially meat and crops such as cassava, maize, and cocoa) are produced, along with strong engagement and capacity strengthening of small-scale farmers. Read more