Dreams and Dilemmas of Internally Displaced People: An Intricate Reality of a Nomadic Lifestyle

Wahab Ali,Ruveni Tuimavana

doi:10.22158/jecs.v4n2p1

Abstract

Land tenure is an important variable impacting the vulnerability of people staying on leased land the world over. Land tenure-ship security is widespread in countries where the land is owned by the state or traditional people. The problem in securing a tenured land manifests itself in a number of ways that accentuate environmental and socio-economic impacts. Mounting evidence of reduced tenure security shows that affected communities are often unable to evolve equitably and enjoy long term economic stability. In the Fijian context, many displaced Fijians have moved on and settled in the periphery of towns and cities thus changing the socio-economic equilibrium of the environment. A qualitative study using a case study research design was undertaken to establish the perceptions of a group of sugar cane farmers who had become victims of non- renewal of their land leases in 2002. Findings reveal that expiry and non-renewal of land leases leads to social, economical, cultural, political and even psychological and emotional consequences on internally displaced people. The article outlines the pain and agony of the displaced farmers and how they have made integral adjustments to cope with the challenges of resettling in new environments. Having faced the adversities of extradition and then resettling, the dilemmas of ensuing nomadic journeys present a more daunting unfolding for many - only that they have realized it as a fact of life.

Highlights

Land tenure is viewed as an important variable impacting on vulnerability of people living on leased land
This study intends to find out the perceptions of such people and how they have been able to adjust to new environment and new ways of living. 1.2 Research Questions To ascertain the views of displaced farmers about their feelings and experiences in the whole process, the study adopted the following overarching question: What are the internally displaced farmers fears and concerns about the non-renewal of their land leases? This study further explores the challenges faced by internally displaced farmers in migrating and resettling in another place
The study was further guided by the following underlying questions: What were some of your emerging concerns about the expiry of your land lease? What were some challenges you faced in relocating to another location? How has the relocation affected your livelihood and social obligations? What are your views about going back to farming? What changes could be made so that ALTA is more farmer-friendly? What have you learnt from this experience? The foregoing underlying questions assisted in getting a better understanding of the feelings and challenges faced by displaced farmers. 1.3 Significance of Study There are several reasons why this research is considered to be significant

Summary

Introduction

Land tenure is viewed as an important variable impacting on vulnerability of people living on leased land. This study intends to highlight some of the hardships and challenges faced by the people who are internally displaced due to non renewal of land leases. The leases are given under Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Act (ALTA) which is an act of Fijian Parliament and it sets out legal requirement for leasing agricultural land in Fiji These leases are for 30 years and previously farmers would get a new lease with increased rent on unimproved capital value (UCV) of the land value (Naidu & Reddy, 2002). The study makes contribution through its findings by revealing the challenges and concerns faced by displaced farmers. This information can be helpful to authorities that can assist them in re-settling in new location. The following section provides a robust corpus of literature on land lease expiry and the concerns and challenges faced by displaced farmers

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion