Burkina Faso Regional Program (BFRP) Success Story: Making an Existing Law on Equitable Land Use More Accessible

Herding communities had to adapt their grazing paths due to attacks and theft of livestock by violent extremist organizations (VEOs), leading to increased tensions between farmers and herders. The BFRP worked with a local organization to distill an existing national law and guidelines on equitable rural land management into a user-friendly, illustrated leaflet. The leaflet was designed to raise awareness on land management issues and promote an open dialogue between farmers and herders. A workshop was held from October 22-24, 2019, to share and review the leaflets with the local community. Approximately 200 leaflets were distributed to stakeholders, including village councilors and representatives of breeders and farmers in 35 villages. The leaflet was found to be a useful tool in promoting a shared understanding of land management issues, as a local leader regularly organized meetings to remind people of how to avoid conflicts between farmers and herders. The BFRP's assistance contributed to providing space for peaceful discussions and improving a shared understanding between breeders and farmers. As VEOs exploited frustrations and misunderstandings over land use, the program helped to mitigate tensions among groups vying for scarce resources in the current context of insecurity. The local leader emphasized the importance of spreading awareness about the law, stating that ignorance of the law creates conflicts. The Nord region's herding communities faced significant challenges due to the presence of VEOs. The BFRP's efforts aimed to address these challenges by promoting a shared understanding of land management issues. The program's approach focused on raising awareness and promoting dialogue between farmers and herders, rather than imposing a solution. By doing so, the BFRP contributed to creating a more stable and secure environment in the region. The BFRP's work in the Nord region highlights the importance of addressing land use issues in the context of insecurity. By promoting a shared understanding of land management issues, the program helped to reduce tensions between farmers and herders. The use of a user-friendly, illustrated leaflet was an effective tool in raising awareness and promoting dialogue. The program's success demonstrates the potential for community-led initiatives to address complex issues in fragile environments.