Policy brief: farmer managed natural regeneration (FMNR) for sustainable land restoration

Abstract

FMNR is an innovative strategy in the restoration of degraded lands since it is anchored on nurturing and managing naturally occurring vegetation without necessarily introducing new ones. FMNR accrues benefits to both the farmer and the environment, including addressing climate change concerns. Evidence shows that FMNR can potentially restore degraded lands by reversing desertification and soil erosion, conserving biodiversity, boosting soil fertility and water retention of ecosystems. FMNR has also been proven to enhance the climate resilience of agricultural landscapes while contributing to climate change mitigation. FMNR is, therefore, a sustainable solution to restoring Kenya’s degraded landscapes since it is a low-cost, yet effective strategy that is easily scalable to farmers and natural resource management stakeholders. However, to escalate and promote its adoption requires documentation of evidence-based data and policy recommendations. This policy brief provides scientifically documented evidence on the link between FMNR and sustainable restoration of degraded lands.