Lowland development, project policy and land tenure change. The case of Lofing in Burkina Faso

The development of lowlands and small flood valleys can increase both agricultural production and resilience of family farming in Sudanian Africa. But the economic opportunities they represent can only be grasped by the actors having access to a plot. Projects' policy in terms of land redistribution is thus crucial. However, the land issues of development schemes remain poorly addressed. Drawing on the case of a lowland development scheme in southern Burkina Faso, this article shows how the existing rights over the area to be developed and the rules for access to new plots determine inclusion and exclusion from the benefits of the land, and thus the distribution of gains and losses between farms. It also shows that the practices of the project's team may create or awaken conflicts or tensions, particularly regarding the legitimacy of land redistribution rules.