To mark the occasion of National Forest Day 2020, celebrated by the United Nations (UN) on March 21, Alland & Robert has launched its latest initiative “Let’s plant Acacias together,” which seeks to tackle climate change and protect livelihoods in the African Sahel. The French manufacturer of Acacia gum has also teamed up with Tree Aid, a UK-based charity specialized in reforesting the African drylands. This partnership will draw on the unique properties of Acacia trees to help protect land and support Acacia farmers on the continent.
As an international acacia gum supplier since 1884, Alland & Robert’s reforestation program, in partnership with Tree Aid, will plant three varieties of Acacia trees in Mali, Niger and Ethiopia where Acacia gum is locally sourced. With the aim of reaching at least 3,400 trees, Alland & Robert will help support the reforestation of degraded land in six different locations from the Meki River to Park W National Reserve.
The African Sahel region is one of the most vulnerable to climate change. “For example, in Senegal, 400,000 hectares of forest disappear each year due to lack of water, drought, and desertification. The rains have been weakening since the 1950s,” CEO Frédéric Alland tells. The company’s campaign hopes to highlight the positive impact of Acacia gum and acacia trees on the environment.
“Our customers will know how many trees were planted thanks to their business. We want to be as transparent as possible and share our expertise in this field,” he comments. “It’s very important to take action now to protect this environment and the African communities that live there. Acacias trees are the heart of our activity and they play a crucial economic and environmental role in the lives of millions of African people in the Sahel areas,” Frédéric Alland adds.
In addition, the harvest of Acacia gum, which is an exudate of the Acacia tree, brings revenue to millions of people in the Sahel. It helps people diversify their revenues and provide an income outside of farms. The crop is off-season, which allows the community to have a revenue all year long. The harvest is often done by men, but this activity also helps equip women with revenue, skills and knowledge as they are often involved in the cleaning of the raw gum or in the Acacia seeds management.
What environmental role do Acacia trees play in the Sahel?
Acacia gum is a significant economic resource for the populations of the Sahel and the livelihood of more than 3 million people. Perfectly adapted to the dry, desert ecosystem, Acacia trees are also a great environmental asset for local communities.
The role of Acacia trees have been extensively researched, according to Violaine Fauvarque, Marketing Manager. “They prevent desertification thanks to their strong root system composed of a central pivot that goes down to the water table and a lateral system that helps avoid soil degradation.”
Acacias are also able to hold water and create a grass carpet around them that prevents water run-off and contributes to the reconstruction of water tables. “Acacia trees act as a barrier to desertification while nourishing soils, making them more fertile. In addition, by drawing nitrogen from the air and by transferring it to the soils via their roots and their vegetative cover, Acacias contribute to the development of the gas cycle while stabilizing rainfall,” she explains.
“It’s fascinating that such an efficient tool for climate resilience exists in nature. In periods of drought, acacias provide a much needed water supply to wildlife and domestic species, thus protecting biodiversity,” Fauvarque notes.
“As our partner Tree Aid underlines: ‘In Africa, trees mean life,’” Fauvarque continues. “Acacia trees provide environmental and social benefits that allow communities to stay in their village. As they improve fertility, they are an asset for farming, for intercropping and for local communities,” she adds.
“Alland & Robert has been involved in Africa for a long time with an ambitious policy of social, environmental and economic responsibility. We’re excited that this new initiative will reflect our commitment to do concrete work in supporting Acacia communities and protecting their environment through reforestation,” explains Charles Alland, General Director.
These unique properties are the reason that Acacia trees are such an essential part of the Great Green Wall, an African initiative that aims to grow 8,000 km of trees across the entire breath of the African Sahel.
A trend for more sustainable and ethical ingredients
“Over the last few years, consumers have become increasingly informed, connected and concerned about climate change and global warming. The trend for more sustainable and ethical ingredients is a direct reflection of the consumer choices and behaviors. Acacia gum is a perfect choice for this trend, as it is a natural and sustainable functional additive,” notes Charles Alland.
Education and information sharing is part of the food industry responsibility. “Consumers want to know more about the food they eat and now they also want to know that their food has no negative impact on the environment. Alland & Robert accompanies them all along the process, as we know that Acacia gum is a real asset for them,” he concludes.
