The Issue
In the Bocaranga sub-prefecture, tensions between farmers and pastoralist herders regularly escalate, particularly during seasonal livestock movements. These conflicts are mainly driven by competition over land, water points and grazing corridors.
Crop destruction, blocked corridors and unclear access to natural resources often lead to disputes, sometimes turning violent. These tensions are reinforced by deeper structural issues: weakened traditional conflict management systems, lack of agreed rules, and limited coordination between communities and local authorities.
Both groups face growing economic pressure. Farmers risk losing harvests, while herders struggle to access grazing routes. Women and young people are particularly affected but often excluded from decision-making processes. Although local mechanisms for dialogue and mediation exist, they are often inactive, not inclusive, or lack legitimacy. Without practical solutions and incentives for cooperation, tensions persist and undermine livelihoods and social cohesion.
The Project
This pilot project tests an integrated approach to reducing agro-pastoral tensions by combining dialogue, practical solutions and economic incentives.
- Strengthening local governance: Existing agro-pastoral consultation and mediation mechanisms are revitalised and made more inclusive. Farmers, herders, community leaders and authorities participate in dialogue and decision-making processes.
- Conflict prevention and early warning: Communities analyse conflict dynamics together, identify risk areas and set up early warning systems to anticipate tensions during transhumance periods.
- Agro-pastoral solutions: Targeted actions such as improved management of corridors, small infrastructure and adapted agricultural practices help reduce direct sources of conflict.
- Economic cooperation: Simple mechanisms such as savings groups or joint initiatives encourage collaboration between farmers and herders, creating shared benefits and reducing competition.
The Change
By the end of the project, agro-pastoral communities in Bocaranga will have more effective and inclusive mechanisms to manage tensions.
Farmers and herders will be better able to dialogue, negotiate and agree on shared rules for the use of land and natural resources. These rules, developed together, will help reduce disputes linked to pastoralist and agricultural activities.
At the same time, practical solutions such as improved corridor management and agroecological practices will reduce crop damage and limit points of friction. Economic cooperation mechanisms will provide incentives for collaboration rather than competition.
Local authorities and community leaders will strengthen their role in mediation and governance, while women and young people will participate more actively in decision-making processes.
Overall, the project aims to reduce tensions, improve trust between communities, and create more stable conditions for livelihoods and coexistence.
The Partner
DCA implements the project in a partnership with Fondation Vegas Jeunes pour le Développement (FVJD). FVJD is a national partner organisation with strong experience in community mobilisation, dialogue facilitation and peacebuilding, working with DCA since 2021. In this project, FVJD plays a key role in engaging communities, facilitating dialogue between stakeholders, and ensuring that activities are locally relevant and inclusive.
About the project
Full title: Youth for Peace: Community Reintegration and Violence Reduction in the DDRR Framework in CAR
Timeline: March 2026 to January 2027
Partners: FVJD
Amount: DKK 1,307,057
Expected number of people reached: 480 farmers/herders reached directly
Donor: Danida
