The Future of Africa’s Drylands: Is Local Resource Management the Answer?

This essay reviews examples of successful development in the African drylands and argues that the transfer of rights and responsibilities to local user groups to manage natural resources is a necessary condition for more sustainable development in these regions. While their quantity need not be substantial financial and human resources must also be available and preferably over a longer term and of higher quality than usual. It is also essential that the political will of governments supports the decentralization and delegation of increased authority to local community institutions. New approaches to agricultural research training and extension are advocated which directly involve the farmers. Policy should also change at national and international levels to provide farmers with better economic returns.