Give hope. Why FMNR is simply brilliant

A future acacia tree in Tanzania. The yellow marker shows: This is a tree to be protected.

Anyone who knows me knows that I love trees.

"Ah, you're the one with the cherry tree in front of your ship!" was how District Mayor Igel greeted me when I asked him for advice and support regarding the difficult situation with the berth. In addition to the cherry tree, I also have a plum tree, a mirabelle, an apricot and an apple tree.

But even more than my trees here, I love "my trees" in Africa that grow and flourish with the help of the FMNR method. The FMNR method (Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration) was developed by the Australian agronomist Tony Rinaudo. It is an innovative, low-cost and effective alternative to conventional tree planting and reforestation projects.

Yes, you can plant trees. This is often touted as the best method for climate protection. But it is not. Planting trees is expensive and often not resilient.

It is better to utilise the existing root system and the seeds that are already in the ground. Simply protect a few areas and wait until trees grow on their own, which you then prune so effectively - removing all unnecessary side shoots - until all the energy goes into a main shoot. After a short time, it will be several metres high. In short: you apply the FMNR method.

FMNR is so cost-efficient and effective because it utilises natural processes instead of replacing them.

FMNR saves costs by eliminating the need for seedlings, technical equipment and external labour. At the same time, it delivers faster and more sustainable results compared to planting.

The FMNR method strengthens local communities, improves soils and ecosystems and is an example of an environmentally friendly and social solution in the fight against deforestation and desertification.

The success factors

The trees that sprout on their own are pruned so that all the strength goes into one main trunk - you can clearly see this in the small tree in the background.

Here are the key points that make the method so successful:

1. utilisation of existing resources

  • Rootstocks and seed banks:
    Instead of growing new trees, FMNR focuses on revitalising existing rootstocks, seed banks and tree stumps that often lie dormant underground. The existing natural resources are used, which require far less labour and costs. Breeding and planting costs more than a hundred times more than FMNR.
  • Reconstruction of damaged ecosystems:
    Instead of completely replanting areas, the natural regenerative capacity of the soil and vegetation is promoted.

2. low costs

  • No additional purchase of seedlings:
    In contrast to conventional reforestation methods, where seedlings have to be cultivated, transported and planted, FMNR works with existing plants. This saves a lot of money. FMNR costs around 20 to 50 dollars per hectare. Conventional planting costs around 1400 to 2000 dollars per hectare.
  • Minimal use of technology:
    The method does not require expensive machinery or equipment. Farmers can carry out the method themselves using simple tools such as machetes or scissors. There are no labour costs except for training.
  • Low entry barriers:
    As FMNR requires hardly any financial investment or technical knowledge, even poor communities can implement it.

3. effective utilisation of local communities

  • Involvement of small farmers:
    FMNR is carried out by the farmers themselves, who are trained in how to use the technique. This strengthens personal responsibility and creates independence.
  • Lower labour intensity:
    Less effort is required to care for and protect the new trees, as the plants grow from existing root systems that are already adapted to the environment and draw their strength and nutrients from there. The new trees growing from roots are far more resistant than young seedlings.
  • Long-term sources of income:
    By restoring forests, farmers can benefit from wood, fruit and other forest products in the long term without depleting their soil. One farmer I spoke to told me that since he has more trees in his fields, he has been able to double his yields.
  • Freedom for other activities
    Having trees in the immediate vicinity saves time. Collecting firewood takes up to 48 hours a week. If more effective stoves are used and there are more trees in the neighbourhood, there is more time for other productive activities,

4. quick results

  • Faster growth:
    Trees that sprout from existing root systems grow faster and are more robust than newly planted seedlings. Trees grown with FMNR are often up to five metres tall in two years.
  • Improvement of soils:
    Faster growth means that the soil is enriched with organic material more quickly, which improves fertility and reduces erosion.
All these trees in the boma, the farm of a farmer, have grown by themselves in the last 5 years, he has "only" pruned them.

5. sustainability and adaptability

  • Resilience against climate change:
    The trees that are restored by FMNR are native species that are better adapted to the local conditions than new seedlings, as they are already present in the soil.
  • Improvement of livelihoods:
    Restored tree and bush landscapes provide shade and improve water retention, which leads to higher crop yields. They also provide firewood, fodder and fruit and - through beekeeping - honey, which significantly improves the farmers' living conditions.

I find: It couldn't be better. And the whole world should know that there are really good, effective methods to protect the climate and improve the lives of many people at the same time.

The project in Tanzania costs around 5 - 7 euros per person it helps. I think that's extremely favourable: for 7 euros, you can increase a village's crop yields, help the inhabitants to have more time for productive activities and "by the way" stop the destruction of the soil and improve the climate.

How you can take part

Together with World Vision, I have developed a Project in the Arusha region in Tanzania, which began in 2023 and is now training farmers in the region over a period of several years to regenerate their village and the surrounding area.

You can donate.

For example, every time you buy an Advent wreath, Christmas tree or bouquet of flowers, you can donate the same amount so that around 50,000 people can regenerate nature in their neighbourhood forever. We have already raised 200,000 euros (as of the end of 2024), but we still need around 35,000 to fully finance the project.

You can tell others about it

Many people are discouraged and hopeless in the face of the bad news. If FMNR is applied wherever possible, 50% of the world's CO2 could be saved - and at an unbeatably low cost: conventional plantations are hundreds of times more expensive.

It's easy to really make the world a better place. Join in. And create hope.

Learn more

Small bushes can become large acacia trees again.

Read my other blog posts about FMNR and our project in Tanzania.

Saving the world a little:
https://kerstinhack.de/besser-leben/eben-mal-die-welt-retten/

Tanzania - a little becomes a lot - Part 1

https://kerstinhack.de/allgemein/tansania-aus-wenig-wird-viel-mit-fmnr-teil-1/

Tanzania - a little becomes a lot - Part 2
https://kerstinhack.de/nachhaltigkeit-umwelt-und-klima/tansania-aus-wenig-wird-viel-mit-fmnr-teil-2/

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