The Sustainable Agricultural Land Management (SALM) Manual for Drylands (2025) is a practical, field-oriented guide developed by Vi Agroforestry to help farmers, agropastoralists, pastoralists, extension workers, and partner organisations strengthen resilience in the drylands of East Africa. Building on Vi Agroforestry’s long-standing SALM methodology, this manual focuses specifically on the challenges and opportunities found in arid and semi-arid landscapes, where climate change, soil degradation, water scarcity, and declining biodiversity directly threaten food security and livelihoods.

The manual introduces the unique ecological and socio‑economic conditions of drylands, outlines common value chains, and highlights opportunities for livelihood diversification, including rangeland products, forest-based enterprises, and climate-resilient crops. It provides clear, actionable guidance on dryland agroforestry, soil and water conservation, tree species selection, rangeland restoration, integrated land management, and other land management practices tailored to low-moisture environments.

A strong focus is placed on gender inclusion, rights‑based approaches, and farmer-led innovation—ensuring that women, youth, and marginalized groups can actively participate in and benefit from sustainable land management. The manual also supports ecosystem restoration, carbon sequestration, and climate change adaptation through practical, scalable methods.

Developed by Vi Agroforestry experts and peer-reviewed by regional research institutions, the manual serves as a reliable, easy-to-use resource for organisations and practitioners working to restore drylands and improve the resilience, productivity, and long-term sustainability of smallholder farming systems.