Herder-Farmer Conflicts Amidst Covid-19 Pandemic in West-Africa

Abstract

n West Africa, transhumance has been a major system of cattle production in which herders trav el with their herds in search of adequate pasture and water. Unfortunately, the perennial conflicts between the transhumant herders and crop farmers have had negative effects on agricultural pro duction. The objective of this review was to document among others such negative impacts and how COVID-19 has influenced transhumance activities in West Africa. The review was carried out using published articles on the subject from journals, books, online sources and semi-formal inter action from key stakeholders. Climate change, diversification of land use, land tenure systems, perceptions about pastoralists, porous entry points, absence of grazing corridors and failure to ad here to the conditions of the ECOWAS protocol on transhumance were some of the major causes of herder-farmer conflicts. Destruction of crops and animals, loss of human life, rural-urban mi gration, poor living conditions and destruction of homes are some of the major impacts of the herder-farmer conflicts in West Africa. Public education on transhumance, government interven tion and the ability to monitor and adhere to the ECOWAS protocols on transhumance by all countries in the region would help minimize these conflicts. Furthermore, all stakeholders should play their roles and help find innovative and sustainable ways of feeding transhumant cattle in West Africa.