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The African Landcare Network (ALN) is a regional platform promoting best practice at the grassroots in land and water management to increase agricultural production, sustainability and livelihoods. Smallholder farmers in Africa are faced with formidable challenges including land degradation, low agricultural productivity, poor infrastructure and inadequate institutional support. Collective and sustainable land management through Landcare offers an opportunity to address these challenges at the local level.

The South African government pioneered the development of Landcare in Africa in 1997 and has supported the spread of Landcare on the continent for over a decade, since the formation of ALN in 2006 at the 3rd Republic of South Africa National Landcare Conference. ALN aims to support country Landcare projects and programmes for sustainable land management, empowerment of local communities. It provides a supportive framework to conceptualise, plan, implement and deliver actions to address climate change, and achieve the national, regional and international development agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa. Currently, 13 countries have active Landcare champions, projects or programmes, covering Southern, Eastern, Horn, Central and Western Africa.

Approach

This paper draws on reflections and insights from Landcare practitioners and leaders in Africa and available case studies. Achievements of ALN since its inception in 2006 are outlined and a vision for the future, considering the many challenges Africa faces, are shared.

Findings

ALN achievements since 2006 include:

• Master classes and facilitator trainings in East and Southern Africa.
• Institutional mandate, logo and communication materials prepared.
• Regional coalition of Landcare practitioners developed.
• Identified funding opportunities and supported countries and projects in applications.
• Presented at national, regional and international conferences and meetings.
• Increased awareness and recognition of the Landcare approach.

ALN vision and focus for the next five years ALN has a vision of restored land in Africa with productive agricultural systems and people that are healthy and food secure working together. ALN will work through six main areas over the next five years to contribute to this vision:

• Strengthening a supportive African network that draws together Landcare initiatives to learn from each and build the leadership of the network.
• Providing capacity building to Landcare champions, including youth through Junior Landcare.
• Developing and disseminating communications products including detailed Landcare success stories and case studies.
• Mobilising resources within the network and other partners to support country projects and programmes as well as networking activities, through small grants, national budgets and large programmes.
• Promoting partnerships and creating buy-in among government structures for policy inclusion. Integrating Landcare principles into Africa-wide and sub-regional programmes.
• Facilitating access to knowledge and transfer of skills and best practices through connections to research, cultural and formal education systems and extension services.

Conclusion

ALN has huge potential to support a growing network of Landcare champions, projects and programmes in Africa. By working through six main areas, the network hopes to bring about meaningful change in the lives and landscapes of the continent.