Sowing Seeds of Change in the Sahel

Who would have thought that planting Australian Acacia trees around the plots of millet that everyone grows here would generate income and help people survive during the harsh heat that is Niger most of the year, but it works. Chris Nicholson is involved in this project that shows villagers how to plant these trees that produce bushels of seed and also firewood from pruning that generate income in the dry season. Niger is all green at the moment with the heavy rains that fall June-August, but most of the year it is barren and sandy. This project is also helping subsistence farmers to use better growing techniques for their millet (staple diet). The village visits provide opportunities to develop relationships with M people. Evangelists are also shown these techniques so to have a creative access point to begin working in a village. The project also has a research aspect. (photos)