Nutritional and Ecological Benefits of Forest and Tree Cover on Vegetable Collection, Production and Consumption in Semi-Arid Areas. A comparative study in Ethiopia and Burkina Faso.

Through improved understanding of the role of forests and tree cover in food production and availability in dry areas in Ethiopia and Burkina Faso, this project is contributing to agricultural and biodiversity conservation decision-making and policy at national and regional levels.

CIFOR and partners believe that inadequate vegetable access and consumption is possibly one of the greatest obstacles to food security and nutrition in sub-Saharan Africa, yet one of the most commonly overlooked.

Micro-nutrient intake is one of the aspects of nutrition most strongly linked to the Millennium Development Goals; overcoming micronutrient deficiency is considered essential if the inter-generational transmission of poverty is to be halted.

By focusing on the importance of trees and dry forests for traditional and leafy vegetable procurement, this project is addressing knowledge gaps on the importance of integrated forest management for ecosystem services, agriculture and household nutrition.