Africa: Desertification a threat to Africa’s development

Arable land is vital for Africa, both as a key asset for farmers and, together with vegetation, to help store carbon that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere and contribute to climate change. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that by 2030 Africa will lose two-thirds of its arable land if the march of desertification. Luc Gnacadja, the executive secretary of the UNCCD, gave an exclusive interview to Africa Renewal’s Busani Bafana on the sidelines of the Rio+20 Summit, which can be accessed through this link.