In West Africa, desertification threatens the living conditions of over 250 million people. The results of projects to combat desertification undertaken over the last 40 years or so have been mixed. One reason for this is probably that technical or technological approaches have taken precedence over the sociological approach. This manual is intended to bring the reader back to the social dimensions of the fight against desertification, focusing on sustainable management of natural resources in arid, semi-arid and sub-humid environments.

Should populations be persuaded to adhere to the objectives of anti-desertification projects or should they be given more opportunities to engage in the fight on their own terms and using their own capacities? Since soil degradation is worsening, a new approach which takes account of the social dimension may be the best alternative.