Africa rises to combat drought and desertification

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Drought Management: Hope on the horizon

Mohamed points to preparedness as the best solution for drought management through innovations such as the Anticipatory Early Action, which is a tool that is developed mainly by the humanitarian agencies in response to different crisis.

"This means that when we have reliable early warning information and we know it is going to affect certain populations in certain areas then we try to improve the water infrastructure so that animals will have access to water. We invest in feed so that animals will have enough fodder for the dry season and we also invest in health services so that the diseases that accompany drought is treated in advance."

She also highlights the Index-Based Livestock Insurance, which her organization leads. "They assess the vegetation condition and if the vegetation is below a certain threshold, then they give a payout to the insurance beneficiaries," she explains.

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One powerful example of traditional drought-fighting knowledge is the use of zaï pits in Burkina Faso, also known as Chololo pits (Tanzania) or agun pits (Sudan). The farming technique involves farmers dig small holes where the seeds of crops are planted and then they are filled with organic matter like compost or manure.

When the rains arrive, these pits capture water and nutrients.

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"One thing I know for sure and even scientists who have worked in areas affected by drought know that traditional knowledge is a resource that people have relied on for centuries," she said. "They know when a drought is coming, they know where to move their animals, how to move but many times this knowledge is seen as secondary knowledge and is not taken seriously."

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