In northern Ghana’s Yameriga community, a quiet revolution is taking root—literally. Climate change, deforestation and bushfires had turned its woodlands into wasteland. Now, the land is flourishing again and local residents are reaping the returns. Over a third of Ghana’s land faces the threat of desertification, driven by unsustainable logging and hunting practices. Often reforestation efforts — big tree planting schemes using nursery-grown seedlings — fail under the harsh conditions. But in Yameriga, women have been using a different method. They started pruning shoots from living tree stumps to encourage strong regrowth. Now, they mostly prune young trees that have sprung up from seeds dispersed by natural means, such as animal droppings.

FMNR — A low-tech, high-impact solution

The approach is called Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), introduced by World Vision Ghana in 2010. Instead of planting new trees, communities protect and nurture naturally occurring ones. By selectively pruning and shielding them from bushfires and livestock, the trees grow faster and healthier. FMNR also improves the micro-climate: cooling the soil, increasing humidity, and stabilizing rainfall. While some farmers, like Moses Ayamga, worry that FMNR interferes with conventional farming practices, many others — especially women — see it as a lifeline. The return of shea nuts and other fruits has boosted food security, income, and community resilience.

From hunger and hardship to abundance and hope

Low-cost, community-led, and rooted in local knowledge, FNMR does not require seedlings or chemicals — just care and cooperation. Women like Tendaamah Dewuri speak of transformation: from hunger and hardship to abundance and hope. Even firewood, once scarce, is now plentiful. With over 45 square kilometers of land restored across 90 communities in northern Ghana, FMNR is more than a technique—it’s a movement. And in Yameriga, it’s really bearing fruit.