Economic Potential of Natural Resource Harvesting in African Drylands

AI-summarized · Neutrality-checked

The 2026 IPS report highlighted that drylands, which occupy 44 percent of the planet's land and support two billion people, are critical producers of globally essential commodities like gum arabic, frankincense, shea, and cashmere. The report noted that as global temperatures rise and an intensified El Niño increases environmental volatility, traditional farming communities in drylands possess established systems for managing scarcity and production shocks. Success stories, such as the Ojoba Women's Shea Cooperative in Ghana and Mongolian herders, demonstrated that these regions already possess inherent value that can be unlocked through improved market access and targeted investment.

Consequences

Targeted investment in dryland cooperatives and infrastructure could transition these regions from perceived unproductive areas to sustainable hubs for global supply chains. As global climate patterns become more volatile, applying established dryland management practices may provide a viable operational model for farmers globally facing similar water and resource scarcity.

Sources

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