Perspectives of young herders in contexts of agropastoral change in northern Benin
Agro-pastoralism is the key livelihood practice among Fulani communities in northern Benin. However, this practice is increasingly constrained by shifting land relations, enclosures, environmental change, and the growing importance of cash crops in the region, such as cashews. These changes affect land use and further complicate intra-household labour arrangements, including the tasks and responsibilities assigned to younger members. While the involvement of young boys in herding is not new, their perspectives on labour relations, compensation, and orientations in agropastoral systems are scarcely studied. We draw on ethnographic fieldwork, including participant observation and in-depth conversations with young herders, as well as a narrative analysis to examine their perspectives on navigating these changes. Young herders internalise and contest these shifts, revealing both theresilience and vulnerabilities of agropastoral systems. These perspectives offer critical insights into
socio-ecological transformations to inform research and policy frameworks on land use, agency, and rural livelihoods.
