In Guinea, FAO supports restoration of degraded landscapes through assisted natural regeneration

Mamou, Guinea – In response to increasing land degradation and the impacts of climate change, assisted natural regeneration (ANR) is emerging as a sustainable and accessible solution to restore landscapes and strengthen ecosystem resilience. In this context, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched a series of training sessions on 24 February 2026 in Mamou, as part of a project supporting climate change adaptation efforts.

Implemented in collaboration with the Ministries of Environment and Sustainable Development and Agriculture, and with financial support from the Kingdom of Belgium, the initiative aims to restore 1 000 hectares of degraded land in the regions of Mamou and Kindia, while strengthening the capacities of local stakeholders involved in natural resource management.

The launch ceremony brought together local authorities, technical services, agricultural advisors and producers. On this occasion, Keita Ibrahim, Director of Environment for Mamou Prefecture, raised concerns about the increasing occurrence of bushfires, particularly in the classified forest of Kébél, located at the source of the Konkouré River. This strategic watershed plays a critical role in supplying the country’s hydroelectric dams, highlighting the strong link between landscape restoration, water security and economic development.

Building practical skills for landscape restoration

The training sessions combined theoretical instruction with participatory discussions on the principles, challenges and benefits of assisted natural regeneration. Participants were trained in key ANR techniques, including the selection and protection of natural regrowth; the sustainable management of on-farm trees; and the prevention of bushfires.

Hands-on fieldwork enabled participants to apply these techniques through plot demarcation, selective pruning, tree marking and the collection of dendrometric and geographic data.

Strengthening capacities for sustainable action

Following activities in Mamou, the programme continued in Kindia, with a stronger focus on practical application and empowering technical staff. Participants were equipped with appropriate tools to effectively carry out field operations, monitor restored plots and improve data quality.

This operational phase fostered experience-sharing among forestry services, agricultural advisors and lead farmers. It also strengthened local ownership of assisted natural regeneration as a practical solution to restore degraded land, improve soil fertility and enhance the resilience of agroforestry systems to climate shocks.

A scalable nature-based solution

By promoting assisted natural regeneration as a nature-based solution, FAO is supporting Guinea in the sustainable restoration of its landscapes while contributing to national goals on climate change adaptation, food security and integrated natural resource management.

Low-cost, participatory and easily replicable, this approach offers strong potential for scaling up at the national level.