Resource Use Conflicts and Soil Conservation Efforts: The Influence of Conflicts on the Adoption of Soil Conservation Measures Among Agropastoralists in Kenya

Communities in Arid and Semi Arid Lands of Africa have over the years practiced a diversified livelihood system meant to take advantage of food production and other income generating opportunities albeit under a multiplicity of challenges such as neglect by their national government, harsh climatic conditions, water shortages and resource use conflicts. For them to make a living appropriate decisions have to be made at both at National and household levels, which should aim at ensuring that sustainable resource use and management strategies are employed for posterity. Resource use conflicts have become endemic in these areas with far reaching effects that largely influence the choices of agropastoral communities that live in these regions. In many ways conflicts complicate the ability and will of communities to invest in development efforts whose benefits are long term. This book examines the influence of resource use conflicts on the adoption of soil conservation measures in areas bedeviled by conflict and makes suggestions on how they can be addressed. It constitutes a worthy reading for anyone involved in dry land policy development and extension services provision.