1. FIGHTING AGAINST DESERTICATION IN AFRICA
Tripartite call for proposals Africa-Brazil-France
Michel.Bouvet@ird.fr
Jean-Louis.Pham@ird.fr

2. Desertification :
degradation of land
in arid, semi-arid
and dry sub-humid
areas.
Caused primarily by
human activities and
climatic variations.

3. •Desertification affects 40%
of the earth's land.
• If no action is undertaken,
10 million hectares of arable
land will be lost annually.
• 1/3 of world
population could be
affected.
• All continents are
concerned,
A global especially Africa where 37%
of lands are threatened.
challenge

4. Complex dynamics
Example of the Iullemeden basin
Niger
•rural area
•poor and fragile soils
•surface runoff ending in temporary pon
•rapid increase in population
•rapid increase in cultivated areas
Leduc 2012

5. The Iullemeden basin: long-term groundwater dynamics
• decrease in rainfall in the 70s
and 80s
• long-term rise in groundwater
Leduc 2012

6. The Iullemeden basin: long-term groundwater dynamics
Explained by the change in
vegetation:
• expansion of cultivated fields
(increase in population, lower
productivity)
• higher surface runoff
(greater water transfer to temporary
pools, greater erosion)
Leduc 2012

7. Selection for earlier flowering crop associated with
climatic variations in the Sahel
1976-2003 : The same pearl millet landraces are cultivated in Niger
1976 2003
1976
1976
Flowering date
50-55 days
50-55 days
55-60 days
60-65 days
65-70 days
..
70-75 days
75-80 days
2003
2003 80+ days
…
80+ days
Bezancon et al. 2008, Vigouroux et al. 2011

8. Through the tripartite call for
proposals Africa/Brazil/France,
IRD / AIRD (France), APGMV
(Africa), CGEE and CNPq (Brazil)
have joined forces to support the
fight against desertification.

9. 1- Structure a 2- Build scientific 3- Strengthen links
research capacities and between
community develop science & society
bringing together knowledge on arid
African, Brazilian and semi-arid
and French regions in Africa
researchers

10. Agriculture and Food,
• Agriculture and Food
Management of natural resources (water, soil, biodiversity, ...),
Adaptation to climate change,
• Management of natural resources
Human and sustainable development (water, soil,
biodiversity, ...)
Governance,
Technology and innovation
• Adaptation to climate change
• Human and sustainable development
• Governance
• Technology and innovation

11. Projects
to be supported
1. Multidisciplinary research projects (3 years) bringing
together researchers from three continents.
2. Geographical priorities: arid and semi-arid African regions.
3. Dimensions to be promoted: capacity building, scientific
exchanges and the promotion of science among local
communities.
4. Projects with two objectives: generate new knowledge and
promote its socio-economic exploitation.

12. Projects
to be supported
1. Multidisciplinary research projects (3 years) bringing
together researchers from three continents.
2. Geographical priorities: arid and semi-arid African regions.
3. Dimensions to be promoted: capacity building, scientific
exchanges and the promotion of science among local
communities.
4. Projects with two objectives: generate new knowledge and
promote its socio-economic exploitation.
Call open until 12 November 2012
www.aird.fr
Thank you