Desertification/land degradation is increasing, and that the problem can be tackled by involving local people, 'guiding' them slowly, but firmly, towards better land use, and through planting trees, and shrubs, herbs, grasses. An overall development approach that should comprise more than technical solutions. Interview of moderator Bc. Ondřej Votinský with prof. dr. ir. Patrick Van Damme, Dean of the Faculty of Tropical AgriScience, CZU Prague.