Agroforestry as a sustainable means to farmer–grazier conflict mitigation in Cameroon

Abstract

Farmer–grazier conflicts are a major cause of the stagnated development experienced in rural, peri-urban, and suburban areas across Africa and the developing world, as these conflicts often lead to the loss of crops, livestock, and even human lives, precipitating untold misery and excruciating poverty. In Cameroon where this study was undertaken, the situation is simply pathetic as farmer–grazier conflicts occur regularly, especially during the dry season when herders move livestock (especially cattle, sheep and horses) from hills to the valleys (transhumance), in search of pasture, destroying farmers’ crops in the process. It is within this framework that this study sought to look at the contribution of agroforestry practices to farmer–grazier conflict mitigation. Data collection methods for the study were household surveys, key informant interviews and direct observations. Data analysis was done through descriptive and inferential statistics, using two main statistical analyses software: Microsoft Excel 2007 and SPSS 20. Findings revealed that the main cause of farmer–grazier conflicts was limited arable and grazing land (100%), with the main consequences being loss of human lives and crops/livestock (100%). The main agroforestry practices of farmers were home gardens with animals (52%), trees on croplands (60%) and live fences/hedges (52%) while graziers’ agroforestry practices were home gardens with animals (73%), trees on grazing lands (60%) and live fences/hedges (53%). Agroforestry was found to provide many socio-economic and ecosystem benefits to both farmers and graziers like food, fuelwood, fodder, building materials and shade which make farmers and graziers less interdependent. Correlation analysis revealed a strong inverse relationship between the practice of agroforestry and farmer–grazier conflicts (p < 0.01). Chi square test statistic showed a significant relationship between agroforestry practices and farmer–grazier conflicts (p < 0.01). Parameter estimates of the Binary Logistic Regression model revealed that three main agroforestry practices (home garden with animals, trees on crop/grazing lands and home garden) were determinant in mitigating farmer–grazier-conflicts (p < 0.01). This clearly demonstrates that the practice of agroforestry can contribute in a sustainable way to end recurrent farmer–grazier conflicts. The study therefore recommends that more attention be directed towards agroforestry by policy makers and other stakeholders who seek to mitigate the farmer–grazier conflict hot potato.