Farmer-herder conflicts and water governance in a semi-arid region of Africa

Sedentary farmers in the Volta Basin are endangering the activity of transhumant herders relying on grazing ranges between 9 degrees and 11 degrees N. Despite mutual benefits, farmers try to deny them access to water and thereby the possibility to graze their stock on crop residues. This new behaviour is changing the geographical distribution of traditional activities and risks endangering herding activity, a leading economic resource in these regions. Meeting livestock watering requirements is thus a matter of local conflict resolution and good governance. Countries should be encouraged to adopt legislation to maintain or even promote the mobility of herding activities.