Frentes de trabalho: Potentials and limitations of large scale labour employment for soil and water conservation in Cape Verde

After gaining independence in 1975 the government of Cape Verde embarked on large scale nationwide employment schemes to carry out soil and water conservation, (SWC) work. Impressive numbers of erosion control schemes have been realized on a scale not seen in other Sahelian countries. the programmes have largely concentrated on mechanical protection and afforestation. Little is known about the impact of these massive SWC activities on agricultural production. Employment has been created by establishing workgangs (frentes de trabalho), which became an important source of income, in particular for the numerous landless peope. These frentes have become institutionalized, and at present their role is increasingly under criticism. Serious problems have arisen with regard to the participation of local land users in the management of natural resources. the consensus now is that local land users should be given greater responsibilities for resource management, supported, where necessary, by the state. However, The role of frentes can be cut back only gradually due to the lack of viable employment alternatives in other sectors of the economy.