About the DMP logo

How it was chosen

The DMP logo was chosen from among nine proposals by the 14 members of the DMP Steering Committee at its first GEF/UNEP Phase I Steering Committee meeting in December 2003 in Niamey, Niger.

Recurring symbols in these nine proposals were the desert, life (represented by rivers, trees and animals) and Africa. The Africa symbol was set aside by the Steering Committee because the DMP in concept is not limited to this continent, although it is its total focus today.

What it represents

There are five main messages in this logo:

• The nutrient-poor, wind-blown soils represented by a sand dune in the lower left, threatening like a wave to overcome the fragile agricultural soils to the right;

• Above the soils a dense blue, portraying both the cloudless skies typical of these hot dry areas, and life-giving rainfall;

• These elements are united in a circle that hints at the restricted amounts of these vital resources, their close inter-relationship in driving agricultural systems, and the global extent of the desertification problem;

• Growing out from this 'seed' is a leaf blade representing life and the potential for growth and development of the drylands;

• The DMP acronym is colored ICRISAT green, linking the DMP to ICRISAT as convening organization.

Is the acronym part of the logo?

The committee decided that the initials DMP should always accompany the logo, whether used in French or English contexts. On the other hand, the full title of the Desert Margins Program can be spelled out in the most appropriate language for a given context.

Rights

All rights to this logo are reserved by the Desert Margins Program. For more information see our Conditions of Use link, below.