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P19


Land-use conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa: innovative pathways to sustainable solutions 
Convenors:
Oluwaseun Kolade (De Montfort University)
Gaim Kibreab (London South Bank University)
Robert Smith
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Location:
C7 (Richmond building)
Start time:
8 September, 2017 at
Time zone: Europe/London
Session slots:
1

Short Abstract:

In recent years, land use conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa have intensified due to population explosion, increasing urbanisation, climate change, and non-adaptive tenure systems. This panel explores innovative approaches that can engender peace through efficient land use and fair distribution.

Long Abstract:

Land use is a major source of conflicts and instability in sub-Saharan Africa. As the population significantly increased and urbanisation picked up pace since the turn of the millennium, there is greater demand and stiffer competition for land by various stakeholders including small-holder farmers, large commercial farms, pastoralists, non-farm industries and property developers. This problem is exacerbated by the negative effects of climate change, inefficient land use due to low innovation uptake, and the persistence of old methods of production. For example, it has been argued that perennial clashes between nomadic pastoralists and arable farmers in many parts of Africa are linked with the putative unsustainability of the nomadic mode of production. Similarly, large scale alienation of land for commercial purposes by governments and big corporations has led to more and more violent struggles for scarce land among small-holder farmers.The clashes between these—usually bottom-of-the-pyramid—actors have precipitated significant losses of human lives, destruction of inter- and intra-ethnic social capital, and severe food crisis in the continent. While the resulting humanitarian crisis appears intractable, several scholars and practitioners have suggested that these problems can be addressed with innovative approaches, for example through the establishment of grazing reserves and the adoption of low cost irrigation techniques and innovative conservation practices. The panel therefore invites empirical and theoretical contributions that illuminate new ideas that can facilitate long-term solution to land use conflicts. Papers at various stages of development, including pilot studies and discussion papers, are welcome.

Accepted papers:

Session 1