Justdiggit
With farmers and pastoralists in Africa, Justdiggit is restoring 525,000 hectares of dry land and has brought back 32.3 million trees (organization figures).
Image: NASA (STS072-722-004).
Last reviewed: 1 source cited
Explain Like I'm 10
- In some dry places, rain runs off the hard ground instead of soaking in.
- Justdiggit helps people dig little smile-shaped holes that catch the rain.
- Then grass and trees grow back and the land turns green.
The Five W's of Justdiggit
Who
Justdiggit, a Dutch nonprofit, working with local partners and millions of farmers and pastoralists.
Source: Justdiggit, Our impact
What
Rainwater harvesting with "Earth Smile" bunds and regrowing trees from old stumps (farmer managed natural regeneration).
Source: Justdiggit, Our impact
When
It brought back 32.3 million trees over seven years and retained 10.5 billion liters of water in 2025.
Source: Justdiggit, Our impact
Why
Degraded land loses rain to runoff, and bare soil heats up and erodes.
Source: Justdiggit, Our impact
Impact Statement
Nonprofit solution · active
Justdiggit reports 525,000 hectares under restoration, more than 800,000 water bunds dug and 32.3 million trees recovered (organization figures).
Source: Justdiggit, Our impact
For Further Information: Justdiggit, Our impact
Justdiggit digs smile-shaped pits that catch rain and turn dry land green.
How This Saves People & the Planet
For People
Greener farmland can raise crop yields and income, and 879 Maasai women run 43 grass seed banks (organization figures).
Source: Justdiggit, Our impact
For Nature
Returning vegetation cools the ground, holds water in the soil and brings back insects, birds and wildlife.
Source: Justdiggit, Our impact
Support Justdiggit
Want to go deeper? Justdiggit has the full impact report.
For Further InformationRelated Solutions
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For Teachers
Discussion questions
- What is Justdiggit, and what problem does it help solve?
- Who is behind Justdiggit, and where does the work happen?
- How does Justdiggit help both people and nature? Use one fact from this page.
Sources are listed with each fact in the Five W's above.
Cite This Page
APA
Saving Planets. (n.d.). Justdiggit. https://www.savingplanets.com/Justdiggit.html
MLA
"Justdiggit." Saving Planets, https://www.savingplanets.com/Justdiggit.html.