Report on natural-resource management practices and tenure constraints and opportunities in the Diafore watershed, Fouta Jalon, Guinea

The specific goals of the LTC research project in the Fouta Jalon are to: (1) identify the formal rules concerning resource access by individuals, households, and groups; (2) explore the impact of these rules on agricultural and resource management practices and strategies; (3) investigate the inter- and intravillage economic and social ties, sources of credit, and cooperative associations that may exist; and (4) examine dispute resolution processes related to land tenure and natural resources. This and related information are to be gathered for each of three pilot watersheds where USAID is working. This report summarizes the findings and analyses of LTC research completed thus far in the Diafore watershed. This research is committed to understanding how villages define their territories. Following an introduction, Sections 2 and 3 provide a description of the Diafore watershed and a summary of natural resource use in the region. Section 4 examines the terroir villageois approach to NRM and its application to the Diafore watershed. The terroir villageois is the land area that is habitually used by members of an agrarian community for their livelihoods. Sections 5 through 8 detail the NRM strategies and tenure systems found in the watershed, while Section 9 outlines the array of tenure conflicts found in the watershed and scrutinizes the dispute-settlement processes employed by villagers. The final section recapitulates recommendations for NRM project implementation. Includes references. (Author abstract, modified)