Ishmael Hashmiu
Other projects
24 Jul 2023
Evaluating the Efficacy of Beehive Fences in Mitigating Human-Elephant Conflicts and Improving Farmers’ Income around the Digya National Park of Ghana
Elephants account for most crop-raiding incidents in the Kakum Conservation Area (KCA) and are therefore threatened by retaliatory killings. In the absence of compensation from the government, local farmers have developed an antagonistic attitude towards these elephants. Chilli fences have been promoted in the KCA to mitigate human-elephant conflict because the combined smell of chilli and oil irritates the sensitive nasal tissue of elephants. However, financial and labour constraints, as well as perceived ineffectiveness, have led to their low adoption. Farmers also lack expertise in proper chilli fence construction, which underscores the need for capacity building. Another problem is the lack of proper fence maintenance. It is essential to periodically reapply the chilli-oil mixture because the smell fades over time, making it less effective in deterring elephants. Doing so can, however, be challenging for resource-poor farmers.
Accordingly, this project seeks to strengthen farmers’ technical and financial capacity to use chilli fences to effectively mitigate human-elephant conflict. This will be achieved by training farmers to integrate chilli as a buffer crop, while enhancing their expertise in proper fence construction and maintenance. These measures are expected to minimise crop-raiding and retaliatory killings of elephants, and improve the low adoption of chilli fences in the area. Training farmers to integrate chilli as a buffer crop will enhance their access to chilli fruits and enable them to properly maintain chilli fences. This will provide a sustained smell needed to effectively deter elephants.
Additional income from chilli will also enhance farmers' ability to meet the financial and labour costs of adopting chilli fences. Moreover, the project will generate and share empirical evidence on its outcomes with key stakeholders to facilitate adoption at the landscape level. The project will also change farmers’ antagonistic attitude towards elephants through education. Overall, the project is relevant for minimising crop losses to elephants and safeguarding farmers' livelihoods.