Africa: Films shot two decades apart reveal environmental recovery and improved livelihoods

Films shot two decades apart reveal environmental recovery and
improved livelihoods in Africa

A new film and book, to be launched in London on 5 October, show how
community participation in development projects has led to successful
agricultural change and environmental recovery in Burkina Faso and
Kenya.

They show that despite a growing population, tree cover and food
production have both improved because of the tactics local people have
adopted to manage their environment.

Director William Critchley shot More People, More Trees in 2009 in
areas that he had filmed in the early 1990s to document new,
participatory approaches that development agencies and farmers' groups
had recently adopted.

These included simple technologies based on improved traditions to
conserve soil and water, local capacity building, tree-planting, work
with women's groups and sustained investment.

For More People, More Trees Critchley went back with award-winning
producer Josephine Rodgers of Countrywise Communication, to the same
communities and development workers, and documented progress that has
been made over the last two decades.

The accompanying booklet describes the technologies filmed, provides
hard data to support the testimonies in the film, and looks at the
current challenges of sustainable land management in a situation of
changing climate.

"Land degradation and desertification are not new phenomena in Africa,
but historically, projects to combat these problems commonly failed,"
says Critchley. "Yet these areas of Kenya and Burkina Faso show that
population pressures do not necessarily mean increased
desertification. Instead there have been spectacular improvements to
the local environment and incomes for farming communities there."

Critchley's film and book have drawn praise from development and
agriculture specialists.

"This fascinating film shows how small investments can result in huge
changes, if appropriate technologies are used and if farmers are fully
involved in the development process," said Professor Ian Scoones at
the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex.

Dr Dennis Garrity, Director General, World Agroforestry Centre, said
"I strongly commend this work for its portrayal of positive
interventions."

Professor Jules Pretty OBE, University of Essex, says the "timely and
hugely important film - and companion booklet -make a vital point
about environmental recovery in Africa."

Critchley is a specialist in tropical agricultural development,
currently based at the VU University Amsterdam where he heads a unit
on 'Sustainable Land Management' at the University's Centre for
International Cooperation.

"The heartening signs of progress have been driven largely driven by
the land users themselves," he adds. "We can be confident that
sustained positive initiatives are underway. It is crucial for
governments and development agencies to believe in the possibilities
and continue to invest in the greatest untapped resource in Africa:
the people themselves".

The film and book are aimed at development policy makers, agricultural
extension workers, NGO workers, students and the wider development
community.

The DVD and book pack is published by Practical Action Publishing
(ISBN 978-1-85339-717-2, £15.95) with support from CTA, International
Institute for Environment and Development, International Fund for
Agricultural Development, and the Global Mechanism of the UN
Convention to Combat Desertification and the VU University
(Amsterdam).

Journalists who would like to see a pdf of the book or view of the
film should contact Jonathan Roscoe, Practical Action's Sales and
Marketing Manager [email][email protected]

For interview requests, please email [email][email protected] +31-622522879

Details of the launch event

Date and time: Tuesday, 5th October from 18.00 - 20.30.

Film viewing to begin at 18.15 with a panel discussion from 18.45 -
19.30 followed by informal discussion with drinks from 19.30 - 20.30

Venue: Casteler Room, One Queen Anne's Gate, Westminster, London SW1H,
9BT