May 10, 2013

On the Topic of Conflict

Sometimes the most viable solutions to land management challenges require multiple perspectives, as seen on Wednesday in the case of the System of Rice Intensification in Nepal. Within an agricultural landscape, where there are multiple stakeholder groups and interests, it is of particular importance to have the farmers, private businesses, government institutions, and others bring their own expertise and experience to the table. Too often, differences in approaches and priorities are viewed as obstacles, where something in-between could actually produce the maximum ecological, social, and economical benefit. In an effort to embrace this element of dialogue that is at the heart of integrated landscape management, we are trying out a new ‘Landscape Roundtable’.

How does it work? Drawing from the wealth of expertise on different aspects of land management, the Landscapes Blog will feature a series of guest authors addressing one over-arching question during the course of a week. And though everyone will tackle the same topic for any one Roundtable, contributors will lend their own perspective, background, and institutional knowledge to the topic. We encourage readers to comment and discuss the issues alongside authors, who will have the opportunity to comment on each other’s work, and draw out the commonalities or divergences between individual blog entries.

This allows us to ask some hard questions; for May we are curious about the role of integrated landscapes management in dealing with conflict (and associated food insecurity). Already, agricultural production landscapes have been affected by climate change, economic pressures, and land tenure issues that have contributed to bouts of food insecurity around the world. Recent history has shown links between rising food prices, food insecurity, and conflicts, as evidenced by the 2008 food riots in Egypt, Haiti, and Indonesia. Natural resources demand has also been implicated in the rise of conflict. Of course, there are many possible underlying reasons for unrest, and subsequent options for how to reduce conflict. Integrated agricultural landscape management relates not only to food production and provision, but also to sustainable use of ecosystems, making it a particularly intriguing topic to discuss in the context of conflict.

For the next week, experts will offer their insights on the topic, helping to bring more clarity to the question of what role integrated landscape management can play in mitigating or even avoiding conflict. Let’s start some discussion!

Read the full series:
Landscape Approaches in Managing Conflict – Saswati Bora

Becoming Conflict Smart – Elisabeth Kvitashvili

Watershed Wars: Avoiding Water Rights Conflict between Smallholders and Agri-Industries – Delia Catacutan

Learning from Conflict – Lessons from the Roundtable

No comments

  • Mary
    June 6, 2013 at 6:11pm

    The Landscape Roundtable sounds like an excellent idea. Having worked in community consultation for many years, I can vouch for the benefits of co-operation and sharing ideas as the best way to mitigate potential conflict. I am sure it will work really well!

  • Pavers Bacchus Marsh
    May 29, 2013 at 12:44am

    Wow, this article is amazing about Conflict. Have you written any other articles on this topic?