Module 11 - Strengthening Agricultural Markets in Areas Affected by Conflict

Policy and Implementation Issues

Avoiding dependency. The tendency in disaster recovery (whether from natural disaster or conflict) is to assume that systems have totally collapsed and all livelihood assets have been lost. This assumption results in lengthy reliance on relief and food aid, leading to a dependency syndrome characterized by missed opportunities to strengthen markets and by a lack of initiative for conflict-affected groups to take charge of their own destinies. While the extent and prevalence of such relief dependency can easily be exaggerated, there are often perverse incentives for local leaders, aid recipients, and relief agencies. Promoting sustainable livelihoods requires judicious phasing of the reduction of relief aid with assistance for expanding agricultural production, processing, marketing, and other livelihood options.

State will and capacity. Investment strategies in post-conflict agriculture depend to a great extent on the state’s willingness and commitment to deliver services and its capability to do so. These are two hallmarks of a stable state—its legitimacy (the perception that it acts in the best interests of all of its citizens) and its effectiveness (the perception that it provides needed public goods and services to all). Market-facilitating programs should seek as appropriate to strengthen these aspects of the state to contribute to stability.

Laying the groundwork for peace. Investment decisions in post-conflict areas involve important trade-offs between delivery of short-term services by outsiders, which may promote stability, and longer term capacity building of insiders, which may get at the root causes of the conflict (Meagher 2005). It is also vital to identify local capacities to both exploit and nurture in market recovery, concurrent with vigilance in avoiding exacerbating tensions (Anderson 1999).

Working with unsavory regimes. Developmental assistance frequently legitimizes the administration in power in an area, whether national government or rebel movement. Even though assistance may directly benefit the poor, it can help to perpetuate oppressive and unstable regimes and lead to longer term suffering. The challenge for donors and NGOs is finding a way to manage opposing imperatives: the need to avoid legitimizing undesirable, corrupt, or rebel regimes and the need to meet the genuine needs of the poor and war-torn groups. Donors and NGOs will need to evaluate the options carefully before embarking on a new agricultural marketing program in such areas, seeking to work through locally based civil society groups while avoiding association with odious regimes.

Local participation. Local participation is invaluable for understanding the impact of the conflict, identifying needs as well as opportunities, and assigning local responsibilities. However, participating in public meetings, voicing opinions, and serving on committees and representative bodies may expose individuals to suspicion and political threats.