This study examines the conflicts between herders and farmers in the Asante Akyim Agogo traditional area in Ghana. Herder-farmer relations and interactions are not new in Ghana. These relations of the herders and farmers are presented as noticeable by conflict, complementarities and cooperation. However, there are widespread reports of the increase in violent conflicts between the farmers and herders in many parts of Ghana. The Fulani herdsmen have always been alleged to be violent in their interactions with the residents over the use of resources. The study examined the causes of the herder-farmer conflicts and the effects of the conflicts in Asante Akyim Agogo. The study also examines the responses of the local and central government, and the strategies adopted to curb the conflict.
The study adopted a qualitative research approach which helped in gathering information on the conflicts between herders and farmers in Agogo in order to explain the findings of the study and making valid conclusions. Secondary data from books, journals, articles and the internet were used during the research. Given the complexity of the subject matter in this content analysis, and the number of philosophical questions that it raises, it took an interpretive approach. It was based on a critical review of existing literature from a variety of academic works. The underpinning theories for this study were the theory of Farmer-Herder Relations, Conflict theory and, Environmental Scarcity and Eco-Survivalism theories of Conflict.
These interpretations emphasized on the increase of crop destruction, cattle rustling, raping of women, killing of cattle and armed robbery as causes of farmer-herder conflict Asante Akyim Agogo. The implication was that, several people lost their lives and properties, poverty and social problems, destruction of farm products and reduction of output and income of farmers. The study concluded with the recommendation that farmers and herders or pastoralists must create good exchange arrangements with families to make use of crop residue or to trade goods. These lawful engagements can include the means for control over the pasture, regulation of access to routes, regulation of disputes over property rights, identification of herds, marriage disputes and other social problems.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Research Questions
1.4 Objectives of the Study
1.4.1 General Objective
1.4.2 Specific Objectives
1.5 Methodology
1.5.1 Research Design
1.5.2 Research Approach and Strategy
1.5.3 Study Population
1.5.4 Sample Size and Sampling Techniques
1.5.5 Data Collection and Research Instrument
1.5.6 Method of Data Analysis
1.5.7 Data Verification
1.5.8 Ethical Consideration
1.6 Theoretical Framework
1.6.1 Theory of Farmer-Herder Relations
1.6.2 Conflict Theory
1.6.3 Environmental Scarcity and Eco-Survivalism Theories of Conflict
1.7 Literature Review
1.7.1 Factors that Continue to Attract the Fulani Herdsmen to Asanti Akyim Agogo
1.7.2 The Cause of Conflict in Asanti Akyim Agogo
1.7.3 The Effects of the Conflict in Asanti Akyim Agogo
1.7.4 The Local and Central Government Responses to the Conflict
1.8 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
2. THE CAUSES OF HERDER-FARMER CONFLICT IN ASANTI AKYIM AGOGO
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Factors that Drives Fulani Herders to Ghana
2.3 Destruction of Crops and Farmland
2.4 Cattle Rustling
2.5 Killing of Cattle
2.6 Raping of Women
2.7 Robbery
2.8 Media Discourse and Farmer-Herder Conflicts
2.9 Institutional Failures
2.10 Escalation of Conflict between Farmers and Herders into Violence
2.11 Conclusion
3. THE EFFECTS AND RESPONSES OF THE CONFLICT IN ASANTE AKYIM AGOGO
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Destruction of Farm Products
3.3 Loss of Lives and Properties
3.4 Debt and loan repayment
3.5 Poverty and Social Problems
3.6 Proliferation of Arms and Escalation of Conflict
3.7 The Responses of the Local and Central Government to the Conflict in Asante Akyim Agogo
3.7.1 Adoptive strategies by the Local and Central Government to the Conflict in Asante Akyim Agogo
3.7.2 Co-existence and Cooperation in Asante Akyim Agogo
3.7.3 Farmers and Fulani Herders’ Cooperation through the use of Resources
3.7.4 Mechanism for Resolving the Farmer-Herder Conflicts by the Local and Central Government
3.8 Conclusion
4. LESSONS THAT CAN BE LEARNT FROM INDIA PASTORALISM
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Pastoralism in India
4.3 Pasture Development in India
4.4 Property Rights in India
4.5 Institutions that Represent the Interests of Pastoralist Groups in India
4.5.1 Government Institutions
4.5.2 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in India
4.6 Conclusion
5. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Summary of Findings
5.3 Conclusions
5.4 Recommendations
Research Objectives & Key Themes
This study aims to investigate the complex conflicts between herders and farmers in the Asante Akyim Agogo traditional area of Ghana, identifying root causes, examining the resulting impacts on livelihoods and security, and evaluating local and national government responses while deriving lessons from pastoral practices in India to suggest sustainable resolution mechanisms.
- Causes of herder-farmer conflicts and factors driving Fulani migration.
- Socio-economic impacts including crop destruction, loss of life, and poverty.
- Evaluation of government mitigation strategies like "Operation Cow Leg".
- Comparative analysis of pastoral systems and conflict management in India.
- Policy recommendations for promoting sustainable co-existence and resource management.
Excerpt from the Book
2.3 Destruction of Crops and Farmland
The destroying of crops and farmland by cattle in the communities is the major cause of the herder-farmer conflict in the Asante Akyim Agogo. The movement of cattle in a nomadic way across farms was found to be the reason for the crop destruction. Thus, destruction happens when the cattle move about in a nomadic fashion without proper supervision by their herders (Okeke 2014).
Most farmers claimed that the cattle grazed at night since they were not kept in kraals and that is the time most of the destructions occurred since the herders and farmers themselves were asleep and so there was nobody to control them (Bukari, 2017:129). Therefore, the cattle moved about and grazed indiscriminately. Unsupervised cattle move into farms and destroy crops, which farmers consider as deliberate acts. This affects farming, which is their main source of livelihood for the people in Asante Akyim Agogo. Farmers claim that herders deliberately drive their cattle onto farmlands to graze their crops especially water-melon, plantain, maize, yam and millet farms.
However, herders or pastoralists on the other hand argue that access to pasturelands and sources of water like rivers, streams and lakes are restricted. The herders claim that, farmers grow crops along the pathways that lead to pastureland and next to water sources, which make it difficult to access them and may cause the cattle to damage crops. Herders and cattle owners equally argued that they have always paid compensation for the destruction of crops, yet farmers still attack them (Bukari, 2017:129). The disagreements that escalate from the refusal of herders and cattle owners to pay compensation can lead to violent conflicts. Herders perceive that farmers intentionally inflate the cost of destroyed crops in order to get huge compensation. In the same way, farmers also perceive that Fulani herders and cattle owners intentionally refuse to pay compensation to them for destroying their crops (Bukari, 2017:129). These two perceptions tend to intensify conflicts between the two.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides the background of land disputes in Ghana, defines the research problem regarding Fulani herdsmen, and outlines the theoretical framework including conflict and eco-survivalism theories.
THE CAUSES OF HERDER-FARMER CONFLICT IN ASANTI AKYIM AGOGO: Identifies drivers for Fulani migration such as environmental and economic factors and analyzes specific conflict triggers like crop destruction, cattle rustling, and media discourse.
THE EFFECTS AND RESPONSES OF THE CONFLICT IN ASANTE AKYIM AGOGO: Discusses the socio-economic repercussions of the conflict, including poverty and loss of life, and evaluates the effectiveness of government interventions like "Operation Cow Leg".
LESSONS THAT CAN BE LEARNT FROM INDIA PASTORALISM: Examines Indian pastoral systems, property rights, and community-based organizations to derive potential strategies for improving farmer-herder relations in Ghana.
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Synthesizes the study findings and provides actionable policy recommendations to ensure long-term peace and sustainable development in the Agogo area.
Keywords
Farmer-herder conflict, Fulani herdsmen, Asante Akyim Agogo, crop destruction, pastoralism, resource scarcity, conflict resolution, land tenure, Operation Cow Leg, sustainable development, socio-economic impact, conflict escalation, nomadic herders, Ghana, community cooperation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research work?
The research fundamentally examines the persistent violent conflicts between Fulani herdsmen and local crop farmers in the Asante Akyim Agogo traditional area of Ghana.
What are the central thematic fields addressed in the study?
The study centers on the intersection of land tenure, natural resource management, inter-group social relations, and government policy in conflict prevention.
What is the primary objective of this dissertation?
The primary goal is to discuss the resolution of these conflicts and propose sustainable, preventive mechanisms by analyzing both local case studies and international best practices.
Which scientific methodology is applied in this research?
The study utilizes a qualitative research approach, employing content analysis of secondary data, theoretical reviews, and documented case studies to arrive at its conclusions.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The body analyzes the triggers of conflict (e.g., crop damage, cattle rustling, media influence), the subsequent socio-economic effects (e.g., poverty, loss of life), and institutional responses.
Which keywords characterize this scholarly work?
The work is characterized by terms such as farmer-herder conflict, pastoralism, resource scarcity, conflict resolution, and institutional failure.
How does the situation in Agogo compare to global pastoral models?
The study looks specifically at India’s pastoralist experience to understand how institutional frameworks and resource-sharing arrangements can serve as potential templates for Ghana.
What is "Operation Cow Leg" as mentioned in the study?
It is a specific state-led policy involving military and police deployments aimed at forcibly evicting Fulani herders and their cattle from communities, which the author evaluates for its effectiveness.
What role do traditional authorities play in these conflicts?
Traditional authorities, specifically chiefs, are analyzed both for their role in land leasing that triggers conflict and their potential involvement in mediation and dispute resolution.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Caeser Nibelli (Autor:in), 2019, The conflicts between herders and farmers in Asante Akyim Agogo. How can they be resolved?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/503392
