In pictures: Food crisis in northern Nigeria

"Shelter belts” of young saplings planted by the government to protect against desertification are being chopped down for firewood before the trees can grow.

This man is cutting down a tree on the border of his compound. He says it won’t fall on his house, but he needs to cut it down so he can sell the wood.

Removing trees like this weakens the soil and more blows away every year.

Deforestation is the reason the Sahara desert is spreading south, gradually consuming villages like this.