Agro-pastoral conflicts in Benin: when policies fall short

Agro-pastoral conflicts remain a major concern in sub-Saharan Africa. This article examines the sources of agro-pastoral conflicts in Benin and evaluates the effectiveness of the politico-institutional measures. The evaluation focuses on multiple factors, including sociodemographic, ethnic, economic, political, and climate change-related variables. Using descriptive statistical analysis and an endogenous switching probit model, the study finds that the conflicts are driven by ethno-cultural, economic, and, most notably, climate-related factors. The results also indicate that existing measures, such as transhumance corridors and land ownership policies, are largely ineffective. Key challenges include water scarcity, limited forage availability, and the adverse effects of climate change on local flora and fauna. Addressing these issues is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of conflict regulation strategies. Governments should implement multilingual awareness and education campaigns targeted at farmers. At the regional level, economic communities must develop and operationalise comprehensive climate change adaptation strategies tailored to local contexts.

Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00346764.2025.2567685