Agroforestry in the Sahel: Five years of science, partnership and impact of the SustainSahel project

Research findings are one thing; farmers actually adopting new practices is another. Across development and agriculture, there is a well-known gap between promising pilot projects and real-world uptake — but what does the evidence actually tell us about what works, for whom, and under what conditions?

In this episode, we dive deep into five years of rigorous impact data from the SustainSahel project, including randomised controlled trials designed to measure whether shrub-integrated farming genuinely improves yields, livelihoods, and food security. We explore adoption patterns across men and women farmers, unpack the economics that determine whether practices stick, and examine the policy levers and scaling pathways that could extend these benefits far beyond the original research sites.

This is the moment where research meets reality — where scientists, policymakers, and farmers confront the hard question: does this work at scale? Through lessons learned, surprising findings, and candid reflections from five years in the field, we discover what it actually takes to transform agricultural practice, and why the Sahel's future may depend on getting this right. Listen in for the evidence, the challenges, and the possibilities ahead.

Written and narrated by: Lauren Dietemann, FiBL

Guests featured on the episode: Dr. Harun Cicek and Dr. Christian Grovermann, FiBL

Many thanks to: All SustainSahel project partners

Photo: FiBL, Harun Cicek

Links:

https://www.sustainsahel.net/

https://www.sustainsahel.net/results-and-learning-materials.html

https://www.organic-africa.net/organic-agriculture/african-organic-agriculture-training-manual/agroforestry-in-the-sahel.html