Farmer participation in land-use negotiations in ThiÞs Region, Senegal

This article focuses on land tenure conflicts in the ThiÞs region close to Dakar, Senegal, created by urban expansion swallowing up traditional farmland and pasture. It analyses the background and structure of tenure negotiations and the representation of different stakeholder groups. It also looks at how farmers campaign their rights through the establishment of representative organisations assisted by international development agencies, and how historical background of tenure is used as a basis for land rights negotiations. Community strategies to formalise their tenure is also mobilised for preventing urban expansion, facilitated by a decentralisation process in land tenure registration. IMAP, Participatory Development Instrument and Model is introduced as a land tenure planning scheme negotiated between the Municipality of ThiÞs and the farmers association, the FandÞne Rural Council. It is concluded that the success of the tenure negotiations is based on scientific back-up demonstrating alternative areas for urban expansion (in areas less suitable for agriculture); cooperation with government extension workers to gain access of official tenure information and explore legal and statutory possibilities; popular commitment facilitated by holding large numbers of village assemblies and awakening a æ tenure conscience, partly as a result of using PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) tools. Direct threats to the process of consultation and dialogue are also presented.