Farmer-herder conflicts, tenure insecurity and farmer’s investment decisions in Agogo, Ghana

Abstract

Owing to climate change, population growth and tenurial changes, the past decade has witnessed high interest among migrant and settler pastoralist groups in the vegetal-rich customary lands of the Agogo Traditional Area. This has resulted in lease grants of large land areas to pastoralists by traditional authorities and usufruct families, for reasons of ensuring optimum use and gaining the highest returns from lands. This paper examines the implications of consequent competing interests over land resources between farmers and herders on indigenous farmer’s agricultural investment decisions. The study uses qualitative methods and empirical evidence is given by primary data from semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions in the case study area. Results indicated that land owners exploit lapses in customary land administration systems to allocate lands in exchange for money, to pastoralists while neglecting indigenous farmers’ land use rights. Thus, indigenous farmers report land tenure insecurity and a sense of deprivation from their customary lands. Despite tenure insecurity concerns, farmer’s agricultural investment decisions remain unchanged because such changes in investment decisions may reduce incomes and compromise their livelihoods. The findings herein contradict theoretical expectations and provide new perspectives for understanding the relationship between tenure (in)security and investment decisions.

Climate change, migration and farmer–herder conflict in Ghana

“…Meanwhile, others observe no significant relationship (O'Loughlin et al, 2014;Wischnath & Buhaug, 2014), with some finding a negative correlation between the prevalence of low rainfall or water scarcity and existing violent conflicts (Salehyan & Hendrix, 2014). Growing evidence supports the prevailing scientific thinking and policy papers that climate change gives rise to certain natural resource changes and outcomes that seem to contribute to the start and/or perpetuate conflicts (Fjelde & von Uexkull, 2012;Kugbega & Aboagye, 2021).…”

Coping strategies for victims of farmer–herder conflicts in Ghana.

“…This is particularly relevant in light of the land tenure system practiced in AAND. Farmers conceived of any destruction of their farmland and eventual encroachment on their farms as a basic indication of the extent of land tenure insecurity (Kugbega & Aboagye, 2021). Similarly, Turner et al (2011) emphasize that many pastoralists often diversify their livelihoods as a way to escape conflicts.…”

Power and conviction dynamics on land and linked natural resources: explorative insights from the greater south region of Cameroon

“…On the other hand, despite the long history that northerners have in the greater south, they are significantly viewed as a threat with regard to their acquisition of grazing land. In parts of West Africa, Kugbega and Aboagye (2021) reported growing land tenure insecurity and a sense of deprivation amongst natives as a result of growing pastoralist activities. This situation is triggered by lapses in customary land administration systems, which facilitate land allocation in exchange for cash benefits.…”