Climate change and land-use change are accelerating soil degradation and rainfall variability in the African savanna, increasing concerns over stable food production. In addition to boosting food production to meet growing population demands, it is essential to maintain and enhance agroecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, erosion control, nutrient cycling. Although JIRCAS has developed technologies involving organic and inorganic inputs, cropping systems, and soil conservation practices, their impacts on agroecosystem services have not yet been fully quantified. Future efforts must balance provisioning services with regulating and supporting services while promoting their adoption.

The project develops soil and crop management technologies that enhance crop productivity and associated agroecosystem services in smallholder upland farming systems of the African savanna. It also proposes strategies to facilitate technology dissemination and adoption.

• Establishment of upland farming systems that enhance agroecosystem services in the savanna
• Application of soil restoration technologies in Africa (externally funded projects: TERRA Africa and Sahel Soil initiatives)

Ghana, Morocco, and Senegal

NAKAMURA Satoshi (Crop, Livestock and Environment Division)