There are 5 other country discussion papers in this series.

There are 5 other country discussion papers in this series. . For the set, quote order code, 9546IIED.

There are 5 other country discussion papers in this series. For the set, quote order code, 9546IIED.

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.

Bringing in multiple perspectives, especially those that usually remain invisible, is a universal challenge to policy processes today. India undertook an ambitious participatory process to prepare a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) under the requirements of the Convention on Biological Diversity – with the extra challenge of integrating opinions over a vast national scale.

This special issue of Participatory Learning and Action captures the experiences of Southern civil society organisations (CSOs) which are engaging in the monitoring, evaluation and implementation of poverty reduction strategy (PRS) processes. In many countries CSO engagement in this particular stage of these strategies is just beginning. There has been much reflection on engagement by CSOs in the formulation of PRSs, but much less written about how they are being monitored and implemented. With respect to monitoring and evaluation, this issue explores how CSOs are working towards the articulation and realisation of poor people’s rights and the accountability of governments and other powerful actors towards them. Authors for this issue came together at a workshop in July 2004 in Nairobi, Kenya to discuss the contributions and to share their experiences in PRS processes.

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.