The Afforestation/Reforesttion project PRESAL is a thirty-year program focusing on tree plantation to recuperate 15 000 ha affected by salinization (badlands without vegetation because of salinization). Plantation will be of halophile (adapted) species in the Senegal groundnut Basin.

The project is designated to implement a participatory approach combining community – collective and individual partners including the private sector. In the long term, the project should bring substantial benefits in agriculture and pastoral activities (raining crops e.g. millet and groundnut, with diversification: maize, sorghum, bissap, watermelons, market gardening in dry season in some low humid lands). Many years of drought have contributed to resources depletion and sustainable use of the environment and deep poverty (the proportion of power households is about 70%).

The project will complement ongoing research initiatives (to recuperate the salinized zone). Some conclusive tests have been led by forest research covering the recuperation of salted land in this zone by the use of halophile species as Melaleuca sp), increasing carbon sinks and climate change adaptation activities for landscape management. Specific goals include: restoration of 3 000 ha of salted lands (tannes), regeneration of agroforestry parklands and improvement of fertility of 2 000 ha of croplands, and capacity building of all actors in sustainable natural resources management.