The FAO Drylands and Agrosilvopastoral Systems Programme supports countries and communities in sustainably restoring, managing, and transforming dryland forests, rangelands, and agrosilvopastoral systems through integrated, inclusive, and science-based approaches.
At its core, the programme applies Integrated Landscape Approaches (ILM) across all dryland regions. This means working holistically across dry forests, rangelands, agrosilvopastoral systems, and mosaic dryland landscapes—recognizing the ecological, social, and economic interconnections that sustain them.
The programme is people centred. It places pastoralists, livestock keepers, forest users, and Indigenous Peoples at the heart of decision-making and implementation. These communities are not beneficiaries; they are knowledge holders and long-standing stewards whose adaptive systems and cultural practices have shaped dryland landscapes for centuries.
To create an enduring enabling environment for resilient dryland landscapes, the Programme operates through five complementary and interlinked pillars that connect knowledge, policy, and field action. We move beyond fragmented interventions by providing a holistic framework that braids together cutting-edge science with the invaluable local and Indigenous knowledge of dryland communities. By integrating these knowledge systems, the programme strengthens national capacities to effectively address climate risks, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and livelihood challenges while ensuring that solutions are socially just and rooted in local realities.Why dryland forests and agrosilvopastoral systems?
1.
Dryland forests and agrosilvopastoral systems are vital for our planet! Drylands play crucial ecological, social and economic roles, while improving the environmental sustainability.
2.
Dryland forests are resilient! They are home to species adapted to extreme ecological conditions, provide essential goods and ecosystems services and the means to adapt to climate change, and increase the resilience of the communities who live in the world’s dryland areas.
3.
Unfortunately, they are under threat from degradation. Extensive areas of drylands are degraded or at high risk of further degradation and associated environmental and socio-economic impacts.
4.
Through better management and restoration, forests and agrosilvopastoral systems can help alleviate poverty and contribute to the food security and sustainable livelihoods of two billion people worldwide.
Events
1/2
2027
5/2
2027
4th Drylands Global School
Kasane (Botswana), 01/02/2027 - 05/02/2027
The fourth Drylands Global School will bring together practitioners, policymakers, researchers, local and traditional knowledge holders and other experts from around the world to strengthen knowledge and capacities on Integrated Fire Management (IFM) in dryland landscapes.
2/10
2026
Dryland forests for food, nutrition and resilience: launching collective action for change
Hybrid Event, 02/10/2026
This high-level event brought together ministers, senior government representatives, forest stewards and international partners to launch a collective agenda for scaling up action on dryland forests.
Publications
Call to Action on Dryland Forests: Mobilising Partnerships and Support Through a Dedicated Accelerator
02/10/2026
Dryland forests and agrosilvopastoral systems sustain the livelihoods, food security, and resilience of over two billion people, while delivering vital...
Other publications
Twelve misconceptions about agrosilvopastoral systems – and how to overcome them
14/08/2026
Agrosilvopastoral systems can contribute to food security, resilient livelihoods, biodiversity, climate adaptation and sustainable land management....
WeCaN
Advancing women's leadership in dryland regions through the three Rs: rights, representation and resources
30/10/2024
This WeCaN Nurturing Community of Knowledge Practice for Women policy brief focuses on advancing women's leadership in dryland regions through the three...
Applying MEV-CAM tools: participatory video
30/01/2024
The Making Every Voice Count for Adaptive Management (MEV-CAM) toolkit provides process documentation facilitators with instruments for documenting...
Grazing with trees - A silvopastoral approach to managing and restoring drylands with trees: Policy brief
30/11/2022
The Grazing with trees policy brief accompanies the Grazing with Trees publication, giving an overview of the positive role that optimized extensive...
Forestry papers
Grazing with trees - A silvopastoral approach to managing and restoring drylands
30/09/2022
The ‘Grazing with Trees’ report gives a thorough assessment of the positive role that optimized extensive grazing livestock farming can play in the...
Relevant links
Highlights
Hidden in plain sight
Trees, forests and land use in drylands: the first global dryland assessment.
