ACTED acts as a mediator between farmers and breeders in Chad

On December 14 and 15 2010, ACTED organized a second reconciliation workshop between farmers and breeders of the Department of Nya Pendé. This dialogue, of which ACTED is one of the mediators, falls in the framework of ACTED’s food security programme implemented in the South of Chad and supported by UNHCR, benefitting both host and refugee populations.

The quarrel between the two communities lies essentially on the matter of land occupation. In this region, very few transhumance corridors have been drawn up and few grazing lands have been prepared, which leads to the rambling of stockers in the fields as well as the loss of part of the agricultural production.

During this workshop, the problem and objectives trees elaborated during the first workshop of May 2010 were validated by the participants. 99 persons were present, including officials of local authorities, of UNHCR, of WFP, chiefs of villages, camps and ferricks, committees of wisemen and mediators.

The participants elaborated, in a participative manner, a workplan of activities that the farmers, breeders and authorities have to undertake in order to mitigate the quarrel. The delimitation of transhumance corridors, a study of the possible regrouping of ferricks and of lands complemented by raising awareness on cassation amongst breeders and farmers are some of the innovative activities that will be launched in 2011. A joint follow-up committee has been identified during this event, which will follow-up the implementation of these activities.