TIL about the world's largest reforestation programme
Grain-for-Green Program (GFGP) is the world’s largest reforestation scheme.
China’s nationwide Grain-for-Green Program (GFGP) is the largest reforestation programme in the world.
Initiated in 1999 primarily to control soil erosion, GFGP uses cash payments to incentivize rural households to reestablish forest, shrub and/or grassland on sloped cropland and scrubland.
Government statistics show that as of 2013, GFGP has reestablished 27.8 million hectares (ha) of forest in 26 of China’s 31 mainland provinces, with government spending of US$ 46.91 billion.
The Chinese government has committed to extending GFGP until at least 2020, with planned retirement of an additional 2.83 million ha of marginal cropland (towards reforestation as well as restoration of shrub and grassland).
GFGP forests are expected to stay forested beyond the conclusion of the programme