Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Blaikie (2006) also showed that strong local governments and other local organiza-
tions are a necessary but not sufficient condition for sustainable natural resource
management. As noted above, other factors (such as access to markets, remunera-
tive prices, etc.) that provide incentive for sustainable natural resource management
also play a key role. Additionally, strong local institutions vertically linked with
national institutions and policies can provide mandates and empower local commu-
nities to manage natural resources and related services (Birner and von Braun 2009).
A study done in four African countries to determine drivers of response to climate
change at a community level using sustainable land and water management (SLWM)
showed an interesting pattern of country level decentralization policies with local
council propensity to enact SLWM bylaws (Nkonya et al. 2011b). The study sought
to understand the SLWM bylaws enacted in the past 30 years at a community level to
adapt to climate change. SLWM bylaws in each community were counted and com-
pared against performance of decentralization in each country. Figure 9.4 shows a
strong correlation between the number of SLWM bylaws per community and perfor-
mance of decentralization. This underscores the importance of the linkage between
the local communities and the national government institutions—that is, the more
decentralized a country is, the more likely local communities will take collective
action to address natural resource challenges. Additionally, a study in Uganda com-
paring compliance with land management regulations observed greater compliance
with locally enacted regulations than with regulations enacted by higher authorities
(Nkonya et al. 2008). This further demonstrates the potential of local institutions in
achieving sustainable land management.
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Uganda
Kenya
Nigeria
Niger
Number of SLWM bylaws/community
Score index of overall decentralization
Notes: Overall decentralization includes 12 performance and structural indicators of
decentralization. -e larger the index, the greater the performance of decentralization.
FIGURE 9.4 Relationship between SLWM bylaws with performance of decentralization in
SSA. (From Ndegwa, S. and B. Levy 2004, “The Politics of Decentralization in Africa: A
Comparative Analysis.” In Building State Capacity in Africa: New Approaches, Emerging
Lessons . eds . Brian Levy B. and S.J. Kpundeh, pp. 283-322. Washington, DC: World Bank,
2004; Nkonya, E. et al., Climate Risk Management through Sustainable Land Management in
Sub-Saharan Africa. IFPRI Discussion Paper 01126, Washington, DC: IFPRI, 2011.)
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