Rehabilitated Dam Supplies Water and Reduces Conflict in Côte d’Ivoire’s Torla Village

In northern Côte d’Ivoire, the dry season leaves water points and grazing land scarce, forcing herders to move cattle farther from villages and often across cultivated fields. The resulting crop damage has historically sparked disputes between pastoralists and farmers. Adam Ouattara, who has led the local herders association since 2021, describes how expanding farmland during the rainy season further squeezes the space available for livestock. This seasonal tension has been a recurring source of strain for families like Ouattara’s and for the broader community of Torla.

Completed in August 2026, the rehabilitated agropastoral dam in Torla holds more water and releases it more reliably throughout the dry months. The improved supply supports both livestock watering and irrigation of vegetable plots. Makongo Traoré, a vegetable farmer, reports that the steady flow has allowed her to expand her garden, which in turn helps her children attend school. The project was implemented with technical and financial support from the International Organization for Migration, the UN Peacebuilding Fund and other partners, aiming to strengthen livelihoods in the face of seasonal scarcity.

The dam is now managed by the Torla community, fostering shared responsibility for the water resource. Residents say confrontations have lessened, with herders and farmers meeting to discuss needs rather than clash. Women have begun to engage in market gardening, adding household income and diversifying livelihoods. By reducing competition over scarce water, the dam contributes to social cohesion and builds resilience against future environmental pressures, aligning with broader goals of conflict prevention and climate‑adapted development in the region.