Key words: agroforestry, Sahel, desertification, natural resource management.
Abstract. CARE, in collaboration with a range of government agencies, has been active for over 15 years in agriculture, agroforestry and natural resource management projects in West Africa. Many of these projects evolved from emergency food distribution activities during the drought years of the 1970s and 80s. A number of valuable lessons are now emerging, particularly in relation to agricultural and agroforestry activities in the Sahelo-Sudanian and Sahelian zones. In the context of CARE's orientation and capabilities as a non-governmental development agency, these lessons are used to construct a framework for prioritizing future agriculture and natural resource management activities in the region.