Land tenure and restoration: A dual challenge for African landscapes

The project simultaneously addresses three interrelated issues: restoring forest landscapes, securing land tenure and improving livelihoods, including food security. For landscape restoration to be effective and sustainable, it must be based on robust land management practices while meeting the basic needs of local people. “Without land tenure security, there is no sustainable development,” says Anne Larson, highlighting the importance of this pillar in restoration initiatives.

As part of the project, interviews were conducted in communities. Photo by U.R Photography

In Madagascar, discussions were organized in small groups. Photo by U.R Photography

In Cameroon, fieldwork was carried out in the communes of Dzeng and Yoko, with the support of local partners, including the German International Development Cooperation Agency (GIZ). In Madagascar, the research was conducted in the rural communes of Sadjooavato (municipality of Antsiranana II) and Ambatoben’Anjavy (municipality of Ambilobe). In Madagascar, the team worked closely with academic institutions, including the Forest and Environment Department of the School of Agronomy (Essa-Forêts) of the University of Antananarivo and the Diego School of Agronomy and Environment (ESAED) of the University of Antsiranana.

Students from these institutions made a significant contribution to the project. Their in-depth knowledge of local languages and practices strengthened local communities’ trust in the process, facilitating the implementation of the project. “The students were true cultural facilitators and contributed decisively to the success of the interventions thanks to their excellent knowledge of the study sites,” notes Patrick Ranjatson, research professor with Essa-Forêts at the University of Antananarivo and project coordinator. By participating in the project, the students were also able to improve their knowledge of key concepts and methods, such as qualitative research, customary land tenure management and forest landscape restoration. 

The research carried out for the project highlighted the importance of land tenure security for restoration initiatives. Securing land tenure is not just about obtaining land titles or certificates; it also encompasses recognising customary land rights, often not formally documented, but rather deeply rooted in local practices. “Understanding the land is the first step in restoring it,” says Andrisoa Nomenjanahary, research assistant at Essa-Forêts, on the need for in-depth knowledge of local contexts.

Based on its research findings, the project team has developed a toolkit for actors in the field. This tool enables them to better understand local contexts before launching restoration initiatives. Divided into five stages, the methodology proposes a step-by-step approach that includes documenting existing policies and practices, mapping intervention sites and organizing participatory workshops with local stakeholders. These workshops are particularly important because they allow project teams to gather diverse perspectives and actively involve communities in the decision-making process. The final step is to analyse and confirm the information gathered, adjusting the approach to the specific realities of each site to propose sustainable solutions that will be accepted by all stakeholders.

A regional workshop was organized in Antsiranana, DIANA Region, Madagascar. Photo by U.R Photography

One of the major innovations of the project is the use of the Participatory Prospective Analysis (PPA). This approach aims to strengthen the self-determination of local communities by actively involving them in defining their long-term goals. In 2024, two Participatory Prospective Analysis workshops were held in Sadjoavato and Ambatoben’Anjavy. These meetings brought together a diverse range of participants – women, farmers, civil servants and local government representatives – to collectively discuss what they would like to achieve in their commune by 2050. “The Participatory Prospective Analysis is about giving communities back the power to shape their future,” explains Abdon Awono, a researcher at CIFOR-ICRAF and project coordinator for Cameroon.

Although neither forest restoration nor land tenure were explicitly mentioned by the facilitators, these topics were raised spontaneously during the discussions. This testifies to their importance for communities, highlighting the need to strengthen social cohesion to achieve the objectives set. “Thinking of 2050 means taking action today,” Patrick Ranjatson reminds us.

The project team and students at the workshop in Ambatoben’Anjavy, Madagascar. Photo by U.R Photography

The project has therefore made it possible to close a number of gaps that are often observed in forest landscape restoration approaches. Unlike past initiatives, which often ignored local specificities, this approach fully integrates the social, economic and cultural dimensions of the places concerned. “Restoring a landscape is much more than planting trees,” says Philippe Guizol, senior researcher at CIRAD and lead adviser to the project.

By raising the awareness of policymakers and local leaders about the challenges around land tenure and actively involving communities, this project lays the foundations for inclusive and sustainable restoration. 

In short, this action research project provides concrete responses to the challenges of forest landscape restoration in complex contexts. It demonstrates that restoration cannot be limited to planting trees, but must include the holistic management of natural resources and social dynamics, while placing local communities at the heart of the process. This innovative approach marks a significant step towards sustainable solutions that reconcile environmental protection and the well-being of local people.