The World Bank/WBI’s CBNRM Initiative

Author: Jean Bosco Z. Some

Telephone: +237 40 3770

Fax: +237 40 3068

The case study presented here is not fiction. It is a true story, with the survival of thousands of farmers at stake.

In a struggle between David and Goliath, between the state and rural communities, who will win? Will there be a winner and a loser? If not, what compromise will be struck?

In accordance with the format required by EDI, we shall attempt to cover the elements of a case study in telling this story. However, if we are selected, then, during the presentation, we could be more flexible and respect the dynamics of the case study, which unfolds episodically in six scenarios or sequences.

1.     Country: Burkina Faso

2.     Region: Southwest

3.     Ethnic group: Dagara/Dagarty = acephalous society

4.     Local community: Gueguere Prefecture

5.     Type of project: land use planning with displaced populations

6.     Significance of:

     a. Political context: Government of Upper Volta (Burkina Faso)

     -Land use - demographic balance

     -Decongestion of the Mossi Plateau

     -National policy of brigading and domination

b. Economic context: Develop the rich lands of areas unoccupied because of parasitic diseases - eradication of onchocerciasis

     -Increase agricultural production

     -Achieve food self-sufficiency

c. Social context: To integrate, through development, a community considered nonconformist and even rebellious

The population was certainly poor but not destitute because the area is well suited to farming: good land, good rainfall, hard-working population.

Dissatisfaction felt by the government, not by local inhabitants.

The government feels that it has the right and the duty to concern itself with all citizens, including those in disadvantaged areas.

The goal is to balance the geographical distribution and give land to people who presumably want to work.

The goal is also to achieve substantial agricultural production and resolve the problem of chronic food shortages.

The problem will last for some five to eight years, i.e. throughout the various phases of efforts to settle immigrants (case study scenarios) and the resistance which the government can expect from indigenous populations.

What was the nature of the problem? The problem had several facets:

1.     The project occupying spaces that the population was reserving for auction.

2.     Rejection of the imposition of state domination.

3.     Rejection of ethnic promiscuity (importation of indigenous ethnic groups).

4.     Rejection of the government which, until then, had done nothing for this population.

If the problem is not resolved, the government, the indigenous populations and the immigrants will all suffer. The government could resort to force; the indigenous populations risk losing everything; the immigrants will be taken hostage (between two belligerents).

There is definitely a situation of conflict affecting three different parties.

1.     As indicated above, from the outset there has been a conflict among three parties: the government, the indigenous populations and the elite of the outside community.

The actors:

1.     On the advice of the elite, which knows the government's aims, the populations hesitantly integrated the project. Occupying lands; assigning parcels to family members individually, but occupying lands without developing them; above all, refusal to go settle project sites

2.     Project officials:

-     Take back undeveloped lands and assign them to displaced populations

-     Continue to expand development

-     Importation of new populations

The indigenous populations understand that if they do not develop the lands, it will be too late, as the government will continue to take them back.

They agree to work and, even better, return to the project sites. But they ask the project to allow them to settle by clan and by family groups. Ultimately, breaking the deadlock is a collective effort. Each actor makes concessions.

Farmers' living standards, which were limited to meeting basic needs, improved significantly.

     -     There was no longer a concern about having water

-     Certain fears regarding project constraints were eliminated (not cultivating traditional products)

-     Certain taboos disappeared (e.g. animals cannot work to feed humans = animal traction)

     -     Cohabitation with indigenous groups appeared possible

     -     Traditional village life was recreated in the project villages

     -     Satisfaction at having stood up to the government

     -     Possibility of storage in order to resell during a difficult period

     -     A feeling of mastery over all citizens

     -     Commitment to donors respected

     -     Economic objectives in the process of being achieved

     -     Inclination to undertake similar initiatives elsewhere: Sahelian zone, river basin, etc.

Primary lesson: When the stakes are of strategic importance, NEGOTIATION among stakeholders is critical before and during the operation.

A.     Government

     -     Consideration of the vital needs of populations

     -     Consideration of their psychological needs

     -     Respect for their culture

     -     Humility

B.     Populations

     -     A sense of the national interest

     -     Open-mindedness and acceptance of change

     -     Maturity through self-development

C.     Elite

     -     Ambiguous role (positive)

     -     Constant presence in the community

     -     The need to inform and educate populations

-     This case is universal and can be applied elsewhere to various activities roads, agro-industries, miscellaneous infrastructure, public works); in each case, the community's capacity to yield, accept or compromise must be assessed

After this ten-year experiment, now accepted by the populations involved, the project area today confronts two new situations that could be more explosive than the initial one.

A.     Mineral exploration in the region is now being developed. Private citizens can purchase permits from the government to search for and extract gold deposits in the region. However, in distributing land, the government has not drawn a distinction between property belonging to communities and virgin land.

These two situations affect the same community and have all the necessary elements for a new conflict to erupt. Unless ...

1.     The author has worked for twenty years in an international organization that provides training and support for rural development in Africa.

2.     In 1986-1987, he initiated an association which has since taken on a regional dimension in providing support to populations (documentation is available).

3.     He created his own association in 1995 (recognized in three countries in three regions of Africa).

4.     He is the former recipient of a Robert S. McNamara scholarship (1984-1985).