Reproduced, with permission, from:In the savannas of Sudan farmers practice a special bush-fallow system with Acacia senegal. This tree grows alongside food and cash crops. In most cases, the Acacia trees and seedlings are protected either before and during cultivation or when the field is left fallow (Hammer 1982:4; Eckholm et al. 1984:47-48). In rare instances Acacia seeds are sown. During the fallow period, the farmers tap the tree for gum arbic. When the land is cleared again, the Acacia stems often are cut low to allow coppicing (Hammer 1982:4, Seif el Din 1982:421).
According to Hammer (1982:4) this system has lasted for centuries without causing any serious degradation despite recurrent droughts and other upheavals. Acacia prevents erosion by binding the soil, fixes nitrogen, provides employment and income through its gum, and is a good source of fuelwood.