This paper shows that the stereotyped image of family farming as archaic and hide-bound is fase through presenting three family farms, in Ghana, Senegal and Mali. Like the case studies presented, throughout West Africa there are many examples of small-scale producers who have established economically viable farms And who are contributing to the sustainable management of local natural resources. This paper is part of IIEDs programme on the transformations in West African agriculture and the future of family farms.

In recent years, the "Botswana model" of rangeland policy has been heralded by many as a successful example of government intervention to improve the performance of the livestock sector. The simplicity of the theoretical assumptions underpinning the "model" (the so-called "tragedy of the commons" theory) and of the policy implications that it entails (privatisation of common rangelands), make Botswana’s experience an appealing example for policy makers and donor agencies alike across Africa.

Land Registration in Maputo and Matola Cities, Mozambique assesses the process of land registration in peri-urban areas and its outcomes for poor and marginalised groups. The research shows that there is little awareness of land registration processes on the part of low-income groups. The ‘individual’ registration process for is slow and bureaucratic with high transaction costs and corrupt practices on the part of state institutions. Unlike the case of rural land, specific regulations governing the use of urban land are not yet in place. Some farmer associations have used community registration processes to secure their land rights but high levels of organisation and persistence are required to do so. Individual registration is beyond the means of low-income households and mainly serves high income, well connected groups and private companies. This situation is exacerbated by active informal land markets which are transforming peri-urban land use. There are real concerns that farmers, and low-income groups in general, may be losing access to land through registration processes which favour applicants who are well-connected and wealthy. Regulations governing urban land, the simplification and dissemination of registration procedures and improved governance are required for land registration to serve the majority.

This paper documents the changes that have taken place during the lifetime of the conflict management work in the Karamojong Cluster undertaken by the Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU/IBAR), a specialised technical agency of the African Union’s Directorate for Rural Economy and Agriculture. Its mandate is to support and improve animal health and production in the continent of Africa.In publishing this review, AU/IBAR hopes to contribute to debates among the peace building community in the region and more widely, and to build on the contributions of Oxfam GB, ITDG and others who have offered documentation of lessons learned through field-based peace building efforts.

This publication focuses on women’s roles in saving and reproducing seed in the drylands of the Deccan Plateau, in South India. Detailed farmers’ accounts of why seed-saving is essential emphasise the interconnectedness between self-reliance in seed, crop diversity and nutrition. By extension, the realms of food culture and religious rituals (which entail the use of traditional crops) are also linked to seed autonomy. What is most significant about the intertwining of seed-saving, crop diversity and nutrition is that these three realms are largely under women’s control. However, the processes of industrialisation and institutionalisation in the seed sector are undermining the very basis of autonomous seed production.

Can Land Registration Serve Poor and Marginalised Groups? Summary Report draws on case studies in Ethiopia, Ghana and Mozambique. This research has shown that land registration is not inherently anti-poor in its impacts and that the distributional consequences of land registration depend on the design of the process and on the institutions responsible for its management. Land registration systems can be designed so as to address the risk of bias against poorer and marginalised groups. To protect and secure the land rights of these groups, attention needs to be paid to registration processes with regard to language used, registration fees, geographical accessibility; to recognising and recording “secondary” land rights; to establishing effective accountability and oversight mechanisms for the institutions implementing registration programmes; as well as to inclusive dispute settlement institutions. The study shows the need to avoid “one-size-fits-all” solutions and documents considerable experience from which to learn.

This paper examines the impact of the promotion of agri-business on small holder farmers in the Niayes area of Senegal. The Niayes area was chosen because of the development of commercial farming in the region and because the expansion of peri-urban areas has created growing markets for agricultural produce. This work is part of IIED’s programme on transformations in West African agriculture and the role of family farms which aims to feed into the development of agricultural policy.

Land Registration and Women’s Land Rights in Amhara Region, Ethiopia assesses the ongoing land registration process and its outcomes for women. While land policy and registration procedures aim to guarantee women’s access to land, practice on the ground suggests more needs to be done to support women’s rights in the implementation process. Land registration, initiated in 2003, stipulates that both spouses should be named on the certificate. However, research findings in one-third of all kebeles in Amhara, found that only 39 per cent of the plots was registered under joint title, while 29 per cent was under female holding (including many female headed households), and 33 percent registered with men. Married women therefore continue to be denied joint titling. Most local land administration committees were only composed of men and local leaders and government officials had not promoted women’s participation. However, where women were part of committees, they were active in protecting women’s rights, particularly of women who were vulnerable and lacked family support or social networks.