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Table 3 Local governance institutions managing access and use of natural resources in selected Sahelian countries of West Africa drylands

From: Effects of local institutions on the adoption of agroforestry innovations: evidence of farmer managed natural regeneration and its implications for rural livelihoods in the Sahel

Type of institution

Description and role

Country

Burkina F.

Mali

Niger

Senegal

Customary authorities

Organization structure that reflects socio-cultural and economic diversity headed by authorities chosen through customary decision-making process and expected to act as custodians. They also intervene to prevent, mediate or manage conflicts including those related to natural resources use

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Village land management commissions

More formal governance institutions expected to contribute to reconcile the various, and sometimes contradictory land tenure regimes and eliminate tenure-related obstacles to socio-economic development. They play a significant role in natural resource management and even land administration.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Local conventions

More or less formalized negotiated agreement designed and formulated to regulate access and use of common natural resources. The defined rules and regulations are formulated through a process of stakeholder consultation and dialogue to address issues related to bushfire surveillance brigades, marking out livestock tracts, fixing periods for harvesting wild fruits or entering grazing lands, quotas for resource use, and protection of regenerating forest among others.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

  1. Source: Adapted from Leach et al. (2011)