The role of community‐level institutions in smallholder land restoration

Abstract This review focuses on the role of community‐level institutions in the adoption of land restoration practices by smallholder farmers. Based on a systematic review of 72 peer‐reviewed articles from 33 low‐ and middle‐income countries, the review synthesizes recent empirical evidence on the various roles these institutions play in supporting smallholders. Four roles are highlighted: (1) collective action, (2) representation, (3) market services and (4) knowledge and skills. Community‐level institutions, ranging from formal farmer cooperatives to informal groups and semi‐formal lead farmer networks, can help address many of the knowledge, financial and labour constraints faced by smallholders. Improving the quality of extension services and increasing the capacity of community‐level institutions to provide market services for land restoration‐oriented agricultural practices are important priorities to create an enabling environment for the adoption of land restoration practices by smallholder farmers. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.