Local innovations and initiatives in the management of conflicts and health risks in agro-pastoral zones: the SAREL and PASEL projects in the Dakoro, department in Niger

Abstract

This article examines two projects concerned with livestock production in the Dakoro region of Niger. It highlights the results obtained in the management of conflicts between livestock producers and crop farmers, and in the reduction of health risks by promoting the involvement and accountability of livestock producer associations in project activities. The collaboration of local stakeholders is an initiative and a local knowledge-sharing opportunity to promote peaceful conflict resolutions in the context of high land pressure and competing agro-pastoral land use. Such institutional, technical and social initiatives improve participatory governance and legitimise decisions at the grassroots level. They have made a significant contribution to prompting social change and to setting the scene for better security for mobile pastoral systems.

Keywords

• Agro-pastoral
• Conflicts
• Dakoro
• Governance
• Health risks
• Initiatives