Analysis of the interrelationships of stakeholders involved in the management of transhumance in southern Benin

The management of pastoral mobility is a stakeholder-centered approach for the integration of resource conservation and agricultural development. This management of space and its resources is the responsibility of a group of actors who are responsible for resolving conflicts of interest. This study aimed at analyzing the influence of transhumance stakeholders in the municipality of Djidja in southern Benin thanks to semi-structured interviews, which were conducted with 300 transhumance actors. The Likert scale (1 to 5) was used to assess the levels of influence and focus groups were conducted. The results obtained showed that several stakeholders were involved in transhumance with diverse interests, backgrounds, knowledge and power (p < 0.05). The majority of farmers (72%) blame transhumant herders whose practices are source of multiple conflicts. The analysis indicated a strong influence with highly significant differences (p < 0.001) in the management of transhumance by four stakeholders including the communal transhumance committee, the association of herders, the Garso (Scout and intermediary for transhumant herders) and the transhumant herder. This research demonstrates how the systematic analysis of the activities carried out by the actors, the interconnected activities between them and their relationships can offer insights for a better coordination of transhumance. For management to become reality, it is important building partnership between the various stakeholders linked by transhumance in southern Benin.