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Full Name:

Roger Marsh Blench

Date of Birth:

1st August, 1953

Marital Status:

Single

Academic Titles:

M.A., Ph.D (University of Cambridge)

Present Occupation:

Managing Director, Mallam Dendo Ltd.

 

After   completing   my doctoral thesis in 1984, until mid-1996 I was   a   self-employed consultant specialising   in   socio-economic   aspects of   drylands management, the environment and rural development in Africa and Asia. I have worked with a variety of international agencies including the World Bank, EC, FAO, IFAD, UNDP, ILCA, NORAD, Sida, OXFAM and private consultancies. I have extensive experience of editing and preparing summaries and training materials as well as making presentations. I spent eight years as a Research Fellow of the Rural Policy and Environment Group at the Overseas Development Institute, leaving in November 2002 to form my own consultancy company, Mallam Dendo. In 2006, I became a trustee for the Kay Williamson Educational Foundation, with a particular concern for developing literacy among minorities in Nigeria.

 

Guide to Webpage

 

Professional Activities Relating to Development

Professional Activities

Academic Career

Academic Career

Publications

Publications

Published papers

Papers

Books

Books

CDs

CDs

Papers in Press

Papers in Press

Documents posted electronically

Posted Electronically

Unpublished documents

Unpublished Documents

Reports

Reports

Websites

Websites

Recent and projected travel, contact details etc.

Movement Schedule

Images

Images

 

 

2007 [with projected]

 

a) January. Completion of report for pre-formulation mission for IFAD Northern Regional Growth Project.

b) February-March. Ghana. Formulation mission for IFAD Northern Regional Growth Project.

c) March. Nigeria. Meetings for Kay Williamson Educational Foundation projects.

d) April-May. Rome. Report writing for IFAD Northern Regional Growth Project.

e) July-August. Jos, Nigeria. Continuing work for Kay Williamson Educational Foundation on minority literacy projects.

 

 

2006

 

a) Team Leader, IFAD RPAP evaluation, Mongolia. Final report preparation.

b) January-February. Palawan, Southern Philippines, January 14-21st for ICAL-X, then in China and Singapore. Return by 12th February

c) Preparation of investment strategy document for Northern Ghana, IFAD.

d) March. Manila, Philippines. Presentation to ICAL-XIII as part of the Uppsala Indian Ocean Project. Thailand, Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China.

e) April-May. Nairobi, Southern Sudan. Evaluation of PACT peace-building programme for DFID.

f) Calgary, Canada, June 22nd-26th, 2006, for the SAFA meeting, sponsored by MAESAO

g) June 28-29th. Siem Reap, Cambodia. Invited presentation, preparatory meeting, CAL-3.

h) July 24-25th. Ho, Volta Region, Ghana. Workshop presentation sponsored by the Dutch Government.

i) July. Nigeria. Completion workshops for DFID study of traditional leadership in Northern Nigeria. Report writing and submission in England continues until October

j) November-December. Ghana. Pre-formulation mission for IFAD Northern Regional Growth Project.

 

 

2005

 

a) Completion and submission of report on ILRI genetic resource programme.

b) January-February. Nigeria. Plan and initiate study for DFID on rural insecurity and markets in Nigeria.

c) March. Mali. Ethnographic survey of the Dogon Plateau in collaboration with MAESAO, University of Geneva.

d) May. Rome. Planning meetings for sociological survey of IFAD projects in Northern Ghana.

e) May-June. Northern Ghana. Team Leader, joint mission. Evaluation of IFAD agricultural programmes in Upper West and Upper East.

f) July. Nigeria. Complete fieldwork on DFID markets and security project. Report delivered.

g) September. Mongolia. IFAD Evaluation of Arkhangay Poverty Reduction Project.

h) September. Beijing, China. Lecture at China Agricultural University

i) October. Nigeria. Completion workshop on markets and security project. Initiation of project on traditional leadership.

j) November 9-10. Ghana. Completion workshop on IFAD survey.

k) October 12-16. Gryon, Switzerland. Presentation to Workshop on MAESAO Project in Mali.

l) December 6-8. Marrakech, Morocco. Independent expert presentation to CG Science Council in Marrakesh on sustaining livestock biodiversity. See report at; http://www.cgiar.org/enews/december2005/story_04.html

 

2004

 

a) January. Nigeria. Begin work on DFID-funded project study the small arms trade in Nigeria.

b) Completion of DFID-funded handbook on herder-farmer conflict in Nigeria.

c) February-March. Khartoum, Sudan. Fieldwork with community groups in the Nuba Hills.

d) April-May. Completion of small arms study.

e) February-June. Organiser of the Two-Day meeting on Nigeria Maximising pro-poor growth: regenerating the socio-economic database. To be held at ODI, June 15-18th. City University, London. Preparation of CD-Rom of proceedings. See Powerpoint workshop summary at: Nigeria meeting

f) June 21. To Paris. Talk to GREFUL group at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales. The transformation of conflict between pastoralists and cultivators in Nigeria.

g) July-August. Mongolia. Fieldwork in the Gobi desert in conjunction with the Central for Policy Research on a World Bank, pastoral risk project. Report available at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/roger_blench/Development%20reports/Report%20to%20CPR.pdf

h) September. Nigeria. Organiser of the Workshop; ‘New strategies towards conflict reduction in rural Nigeria’. Launching of book on pastoral conflict.

i) September 29-October 1. St. Anthony’s College, Oxford. Presentation of paper Cultural and biological interactions in the savanna woodlands of Northern Ghana. At the conference: Trees, Rain and Politics in Africa: The dynamics and politics of climatic and environmental change. Text available at; http://homepage.ntlworld.com/roger_blench/Ethnoscience%20data/Oxford%20paper%202004.pdf

j) October-December. Nairobi/China/Bhutan. Evaluation of ILRI as part of wide-ranging evaluation of CGIAR system. Natura consultancy. Begins October Nairobi.

k) November. Presentations at Kunming Institute of Zoology, Gansu Agricultural University Why conserve livestock biodiversity?.

l) November/December. Bhutan. Evaluation of ILRI continues.

m) December. Invited by Royal Government of Bhutan to establish socio-economic survey of migratory herders, currently under way.

n) December 16. Brussels. Wrap-up workshop on CGIAR evaluation.

 

 

2003

 

a) January/March 2003. Work in Nigeria for DFID/World Bank on farmer-pastoralist conflict for JEWEL and Fadama   II projects.

b) March 2003. Invited presentation La conservación de la agrobiodiversidad en las Américas y en África. CATIE, Turrialba, Costa Rica.

c) April-May 2003. Preparation of DFID-Nigeria position Paper. Drivers of change –the rural dimension.

d) April 2003. Preparation of DFID-Nigeria Paper. Livestock marketing 1990-2003-2020.

e) May/June 2003. Work in Nigeria for World Bank on training for farmer-pastoralist conflict resolution for Fadama   II projects.

f) July. Preparation of DFID-Nigeria position Paper. Drivers of change –migration.

g) August. Preparation of DFID-Nigeria position Paper. Drivers of change –culture, language and ethnicity.

h) August. Invited discussant, Indian Ocean Conference, Uppsala.

i) September. I was in Mali for IFAD from the 26th of September until 13th October for a study of biodiversity in the Inland Niger Delta.

j) October. Nigeria 22nd October until 8th November for the World Bank developing case studies on herder-farmer conflict for the Fadama   II.

k) 11-15th of November, Paris. Scientific committee for the Ethnozoology Conference Le symbolisme des animaux - l’animal “clef de voûte” dans la tradition orale et les interactions homme-nature.

l) November-January 2004. To Nigeria to run interactive training sessions on conflict resolution for the World Bank Fadama   II project.

 

 

2002

 

a) January/March. Fieldwork and workshops in Ethiopia, Zambia, Cambodia for study of Sida Area Development Projects.

b) March/April. Visits to Senegal, Guinée-Conakry, Nigeria and Ghana as part of networking for the Multi-Agency Partnerships Project.

c) May. Workshop presentation for Sida in Stockholm to complete ADP study

d) May. Asmara, Eritrea to prepare National Capacity Needs Assessment for GEF submission.

e) May/June. Visits to regional centres in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica for collection of materials on agricultural extension.

f) August. Consultancy on natural resource conflict for World Bank mission appraisal of Fadama   II.

g) August. Tamale. Presentation to GSAE/MOFA Meeting on Accelerated Rice Production in Ghana.

h) August. Tamale. Organisation of Workshop on using vernacular radio drama for agricultural extension.

i) September. Taipei, Taiwan.   Sponsored by Indigenous Peoples Organisation to give invited presentation to Round Table on Austronesian origins.

j) October. Study for FAO on role of livestock in PRSPs.

k) November/December. Preparation of chapter on livestock issues for NEPAD document. Commission by FAO.

l) November. Paris. Mega-Tchad Conference. Presentation: Arbres fruitiers dans la région de Préfecture Logone Oriental, S. Tchad.

m) December/March 2003. Work in Nigeria for DFID/WB on pastoral conflict in the context of JEWEL and Fadama   II projects.

 

 

2001

 

a) January, February. Nigeria. Supervision of MAPs Project.

b) February, Ghana. Preparation of manuscript of Books on Soil and Water Conservation.

c) February, Ghana. Script preparation and supervision of indigenous language FM broadcasts in Northern Ghana.

d) April. Preparation of text for forthcoming WDR on rights-based development

e) May. Co-ordinator MAPs workshop, London.

f) June/October. Preparation of materials for Mining and Sustainable Development Workshop, London.

g) July. Discussant, Minority Rights Group Workshop. London.

h) October. Two presentations for the Mining and Sustainable Development Initiative, London.

i) October/November. Joint work with Sida on a study of Area Development Projects.

j) November/December. Cambodia. Field study of Area Development Projects for Sida.

 

2000

 

a) January, Manila. Prepared overview of Asian Development Bank Guidelines on Environment and Involuntary Resettlement for Japan Bank of International Co-operation.

b) Preparation of   FAO-sponsored paper on the status of 'Pastoralism in the Twenty-First Century' as keynote paper for the expanded Pastoral Development Network.

c) Facilitator of Workshop in Tamale, Northern Ghana, on 'Soil and Water Conservation in Six African Countries' concluding a 3-year study on this topic.

d) Facilitator of Inception Workshop in Jos, Nigeria, on 'Multi-Agency Partnerships for Rice Production in sub-Saharan Africa'.

e) Facilitator of Workshop in Tamale, Northern Ghana, on 'Indigenous Knowledge of Trees in Northern Ghana'.

f) Preparation for IUCN/EC of briefing papers on biodiversity and food security, biodiversity and health

g) Rome, June. Preparation of   FAO-sponsored paper 'Issues and Options for the Horn of Africa'.

h) Brazil, Colombia, Mexico.   July. Evaluation of AGRen Network.

i) Oslo, August, September, October. ODI Team Leader, Evaluation of Norwegian Government Special Grant for the Environment.

j) October. Preparation of briefing paper on mainstreaming the environment for DFID.

k) October. London. Invited attendee, World Bank Environment Strategy Consultation.

l) October. London. Keynote paper on Land degradation at the first Nigeria-UK Bilateral Forum on the Environment.

k) October. Evaluation of Norwegian collaborative environmental projects in Vietnam, Laos.

l) November. Chad. Study of ethnobotany of SW Chad in relation to compensation for Exxon pipeline.

m) November. Organiser. Workshop on Rice Production in Ghana, Ho.

 

 

1999

 

a) Prepared briefing paper for DFID on environmental problems in Gaza and the West Bank.

b) Supervision of Soil and Water conservation Projects in Nigeria and Ghana

c) Author of issues paper on rangeland biodiversity for DFID LPPB project

d) Joint author of issues paper on insect biodiversity for DFID LPPB project

e) Prepared briefing paper for DFID on environmental problems in Mexico.

f) Preparation for FAO of Pastoralism Web Site at ODI, based on Pastoral Development Network

g) Convenor of Indigenous Knowledge/Drought and Livestock Panels for the Vth World Rangelands Congress, Townsville, July.

h) Prepared and presented paper for DGVIII of the EC on the implementation of the CCD (Convention to Combat Desertification) at an intergovernmental meeting on April 7th.

i) Fieldwork in Nigeria, Ghana and Mali on Multi-Agency Partnerships in West Africa.

j) Joint author of study Can livestock and wildlife co-exist? Published as a book, resulting from a project financially supported by the Department for International Development.

k) Preparation of environmental paper for DFID Country Strategy for Nigeria.

l) September. Presentation Seasonal forecasting and African subsistence farmers. At the Workshop on User Responses to Seasonal Climate Forecasts in Southern Africa. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. September 10-11, 1999

m) October 24-28. Run workshop for FAO on surveying   livestock biodiversity in SADC countries. Windhoek, Namibia

o) November-December. Work on Nigeria/Mali/Ghana on Soil and Water Conservation/Multi-Agency Partnerships/Indigenous Ecological Knowledge.

 

 

1998

 

a) Team Leader, DFID-supported study. ‘Rethinking Natural Resource Degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa’. Fieldwork in Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal.

b) Co-ordinator of FAO electronic Conference ‘Livestock and the Challenge of Drought’ taking place in July 1998. Posting of keynote paper Drought and livestock in semi-arid Africa and the Near East.

c) Invited presentation at the Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum, Pilanesberg, South Africa, May 12-15, 1998. Paper published in proceedings.

d) Edited book on recent socio-economic research in north-central Ghana

e) Prepared Issues Paper on livestock biodiversity for NRPAD, DFID. (see publications)

f) Prepared environmental briefs on the Ukraine and Tanzania

 

 

1997

 

a) February-April. Fieldwork in Northern Ghana on DFID-funded programme 'Partnerships and Policies for Change'.

b) May-June. Fieldwork on farming systems in the Rwenya Basin, Zimbabwe on DFID-funded programme 'Partnerships and Policies for Change'.

c) June 26-27. Convenor of Conference: 'Ghana and Zimbabwe: Options for change'

d) Invited presentation to DFID meeting on Ghana country Strategy.

e) July 24. Host of NRI Animal Traction strategy meeting in ODI, London.

f) Edited an issue of   AGReN papers on farming systems in Zimbabwe

 

1996

 

a) January-March. Co-ordinator. Nomadism and Environment Workshop. Joint sponsors; the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and IFAD, Rome.

b) April-May. Nigeria. Follow-up fieldwork in relation to publication of Nigerian National Livestock Resource Survey (see 1990).

c) June. Commence work as ODI research fellow. Preparations for 3-year project ODA-sponsored project on agricultural systems and resource conflicts in semi-arid Africa. Field visits, Malai, Zimbabwe, Ghana.

d) December. Presentation at the IFAD-sponsored workshop on Rangeland management in the Middle East. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

 

1995

 

a) February-May. Mission Leader: Socio-economic and animal production survey of the pastoral zones of Jordan for IFAD.

b) June-August. Mission Leader: Agricultural Resource Management Project Survey Jordan. IFAD.

c) August-September. Sociological survey: Arkhangay Province. Mongolia. IFAD.

d) September. Co-ordinator of the Conference “African Livestock: the new synthesis”. Institute of Archaeology, London.

e) December 4-8th. Keynote paper for workshop on ‘Animal Traction and the Environment’. ATNESA. Nairobi, Kenya.

 

 

1994

 

a) January-March. Visitor, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University, Canberra.

b) April-June. Study of   factors contributing to changing livestock breed distributions in Nigeria. Animal Health Division, FAO.

 

1993

 

a) March-April. Environmental Consultant for DDC/FAO River Basin Mission in Nigeria.

b) May-June. Consultant for DDC FAO/CP Third Livestock Development Project, Nigeria.

c) July-August. Study of Agricultural Extension Media for Edo State ADP, Nigeria.

d) November-December. World Bank Mission to evaluate sustainability of ADPs in Nigeria.

 

1992

 

a) May. Nigerian Government consultant (Rural Sociology) for sub-sectoral review mission.

b) June. FAO consultant in Rome   for write-up of   Nigerian sub-sector review mission.

c) September-December. FAO/UNDP Consultant, Nigerian Livestock Sector, UNDP 5-year plan.

 

1990 &1991

 

Ground Survey Co-ordinator for Nigerian National Livestock Resource Survey; planning, and supervision of the fieldwork for the Census as well as preparation of working papers and the final report.

 

1989

 

a) January-March. Work with ILCA, Kaduna on revision of Livestock Systems Study.

b) February. Run Workshop for NLPD/ILCA on National Dairy Survey. Edit Proceedings.

c) February. Conduct survey of the meat trade in Kaduna area for ILCA, Kaduna.

d) April-December. Co-ordinator, Ground Survey, Nigerian National Livestock Census, Pilot Phase.

e) May-June. Mission to Chad for OXFAM. Report (in French) on restructuring Pastoral Associations in Oum Hadjer, Batha Oriental.

f) March and July. Planning and co-ordination of National Dairy Survey for NLPD, Kaduna, Nigeria.

 

1988

 

a) February-March. Trip to Red Sea Province, Sudan to report for OXFAM on the potential for a livestock census.   

 

1987

 

a) January.   Editing of ILCA Subhumid Zone Systems Study. Kaduna, Nigeria.

b)   February-March./July    Study   of   Sorau   and   Guyaku   Grazing   Reserves   for sociological implications of the proposed settlement   scheme.   Commissioned by the National Livestock Projects Department, Kaduna. Training of Rural Sociologist for NLPD.   July. Rainy season work in Grazing Reserves

c)   March-May.   Jointly   funded   study (World Bank   ARU   &   ILCA,   Subhumid Programme) on the distribution of ploughing in the Nigerian Subhumid Zone.

d) May-June.   Socio-economic ground studies in relation to an aerial survey of the fifth Region of Mali for ODEM, Mopti.   

e)   August.   To   Addis   Ababa to give presentation on   animal   traction   in Africa.

f)   September.   To   Washington to present report and give seminar to   World Bank Agricultural Research Unit on results of ploughing Survey.   

 

1986

 

a) Fieldwork/writing   in Gezira Province,   Sudan for DEVCO (Irish Republic) on   the integration of livestock in the irrigation. Between March and July

b) Presentation of sociological fieldwork and aerial survey review for the International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA) for the External Programme Review.   April.

c) Preparation and synthesis of resources on women's labour and   domestic economy   in   Yorubaland.    ILCA   Humid   Zone   Programme,   Ibadan   Nigeria.   April/May.   Report available from ILCA HZP.

d)   Preparation of English version of ILCA systems study for Mali arid and semi-arid programme.    January.    Subsequent visit to ILCA,   Mali in May to report on the potential for a more comprehensive systems study.

e)   Preparation   of   materials on Borana   cattle   production   in   Southern Ethiopia   - revision   of   systems   study.    ILCA,   Addis   Ababa,   February. Complete version available from ILCA Rangelands programme, Addis Ababa.

f)   UNDP mission to assist land-use planning in southern and   western Ethiopia.   Brief to assess sociological impact of agricultural intensification. November-December.

 

1985

 

a) February-March. Synthesis of aerial surveys in the Nigerian Subhumid   Zone prepared for ILCA Subhumid Zone Programme, Kaduna, Nigeria.

b) April-June. Synthesis of air/ground surveys in West Africa for the   Remote-Sensing Programme, ILCA Headquarters, Addis Ababa.

c)   August-December. Editing of proceedings of Livestock Studies Symposium, Kaduna, Nigeria.   This   was   published by ILCA in May,   and then following the writing   of   a livestock   systems   study of the Nigerian Subhumid Zone.    This   should   be published in book form in 1987.   

 

1983 - 84

 

August,   1983-November, 1984. Directed groundwork for a IBRD-funded study of Livestock and Land Use in Gongola State,   Nigeria.

 


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ACADEMIC CAREER

 

Exhibition, Clare College:   Undergraduate Studies. 1970-4

Fieldwork in Ethiopia (1971)   funded by Clare College.

1974-6    Travels in West and East Africa.    Visits to research   Institutes, contacts with African academics.

1977-8   Certificate in Social Anthropology, Clare College, Cambridge.

1978-83    Preparation,    fieldwork   and   writing   of   doctoral   thesis    on comparative   aspects   of social and political   structures among two   ethnic groups of Niger State, Central Nigeria.   Thesis submitted, July, 1984.

Organizer:   West African Seminar Series, African Studies Centre, University of Cambridge.   Academic years 1983 and 1984.

Consulting   Editor:    The   Useful Plants of West   Tropical   Africa.    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

 

Professional Responsibilities

Editorial Board. Mega-Chad Network

Listowner. ARCLING ()

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PUBLICATIONS

All   publications   are available on request;   in some cases a photocopy   or word-processor   output may be supplied.

Papers published in refereed journals or other publications

 

(1982) The Silent Trade: an Igala version. Cambridge Anthropology, 8,1.

(1984a)   Conflict and co-operation: Fulani relations with the Samba   and Mambila peoples. Cambridge Anthropology, 9,2.

(1984b) Islam among the Nupe. In: Muslim peoples (ed. 2). Westview Press, Boulder, Colorado.

(1985a)   (contributing editor)   The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa. Vol.   1,   Families A-D.   Main editor, H.M. Burkill.   Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

(1985b)    Pastoral   labour   and stock alienation in the subhumid   and   arid zones of West Africa. ODI network Paper, 19e. http://www.odi.org.uk/pdn/papers/19e.pdf

(1986) The Evolution of the Nupe cultigen repertoire.   Festschrift   for Professor C. Hoffman. ed. F. Rottland, Helmut Buske, Hamburg.

(1987)   Livestock   in the Gezira Scheme -1986.    ODI,   Pastoral   Network Paper, 23c. http://www.odi.org.uk/pdn/papers/24a.pdf

(1989) The   Evolution of the Cultigen repertoire of the Nupe.   Azania, XXIV:51-63.

(1991a)   FulBe movement into Southwestern Adamawa from 1835 to the present. pp. 15-64 in Du Politique à L'Économique: Études Historiques dans la bassin du Lac Tchad. J. Boutrais, (ed). ORSTOM, Paris.

(1991b) Contact between Ancient Egypt and sub-Saharan Africa: the evidence of cultivated plants. pp. 54-6 in; 'Egypt and Africa' -ed. W.V. Davies. British Museum Press.

(1991c)   The desiccation of Lake Chad in 1990. Méga-Tchad Bulletin, 91/2.

(1993)   Ethnographic and linguistic evidence for the prehistory of African ruminant livestock, horses and ponies. In: The Archaeology of Africa. Food, Metals and Towns. eds. Shaw, T., Sinclair, P., Andah, B. and Okpoko, A. 71-103. London: Routledge.

(1994a) The Ethnography of the Kariya People: A Preliminary Description. Nigerian Field, 59:157-168.

(1994b) [with others] Nigerian livestock resources survey. World Animal Review, 78:49-58.

(1994c) The Expansion and Adaptation of   Fulºe Pastoralism to Subhumid and Humid Conditions in Nigeria. Cahiers d’études Africaines,133-135:197-212.

(1995a) A History of Domestic Animals in Northeastern Nigeria. Cahiers de Science Humaine, 31, 1:181-238. ORSTOM, Paris.

(1995b) The Work of N.W. Thomas as Government Anthropologist in Nigeria. Nigerian Field, 60:20-28.

(1996a) Evidence for the inception of agriculture in the Nigeria-Cameroun borderland. pp. 83-102. In The Growth of Farming communities in Africa from the Equator southwards. ed. J.E.G. Sutton. Azania special Volume XXIX-XXX. Nairobi: BIEA.

(1996b) Pastoralists and national borders in Nigeria. pp. 111-128 in African boundaries: Barriers, conduits and opportunities. eds. P. Nugent and A.I. Asiwaju. Francis Pinter for Centre of African Studies, Edinburgh.

 (1997a) [with K. Williamson & B. Connell] The Diffusion of Maize in Nigeria: a Historical and Linguistic Investigation. SUGIA, XIV:19-46. Köln.

(1997b) The history and spread of donkeys in Africa. Paper for ATNESA Workshop Reader, Donkey Power Benefits. 38-46. Addis Ababa, May 5-9, 1997.

(1997c) Resource conflict in semi-arid Africa. Natural Resource Briefing Paper 16. London: Overseas Development Institute. http://www.odi.org.uk/nrp/16.html

(1997d) Neglected species, livelihoods and biodiversity in difficult areas: how should the public sector respond? Natural Resource Briefing Paper 23. London: Overseas Development Institute. http://www.odi.org.uk/nrp/23.html.

(1997e) Animal traction in West Africa: categories, distribution and constraints on its adoption and further spread: a Nigerian case study. ODI Working Paper 106. London: Overseas Development Institute.

 (1997f) A history of agriculture in Northeastern Nigeria. In L’Homme et le milieu végétal dans le Bassin du Lac Tchad. D. Barreteau, R. Dognin and C. von Graffenried eds. 69-112. Paris: ORSTOM. Can be downloaded at[1]

(1997g) The History and Future of Water Management of the Lake Chad Basin in Nigeria. In L’Homme et l’eau dans le Bassin du Lac Tchad. H. Jungraithmayr, D. Barreteau and U. Seibert eds. 143-166. Paris: ORSTOM.

 


(1998a) Fragments and sentiments: why is 'the community' the focus of development? a Zimbabwean case. AgREN Network Paper 81a. London: ODI.

(1998b) [with Stephen Hall] Conflicts in protected areas of Africa: livestock and the conservation of the Rwenya wildlife management area, North East Zimbabwe. AgREN Network Paper 82b. London: ODI. http://www.odi.org.uk/agren/papers/agrenpaper_82.pdf

(1998e) The diffusion of New World Cultigens in Nigeria. In: Plantes et paysages d’Afrique. 165-210. M. Chastenet. ed.   Paris:   Karthala.

(1998d) Rangeland degradation and socio-economic changes among the Bedu of Jordan: results of the 1995 IFAD survey. In: Drylands: sustainable use of rangelands in the twenty-first century. V.R. Squires and A.E. Sidahmed (eds.) 397-423. Rome: IFAD.

(1998e) [with Zoë Marriage] Climatic uncertainty and natural resource policy: what should the role of government be? Natural Resource Briefing Paper 31. London: Overseas Development Institute. http://www.odi.org.uk/nrp/31.html.

(1998f) Le West African Shorthorn au Nigeria. In Des taurins et des hommes: Cameroun, Nigeria. C. Seignobos and E. Thys eds. 249-292. Paris: IEMVT, Maisons-Alfort.

(1998g) Le N’dama et le bétail issu de croisements (Keteku) au Nigeria. In Les taurins au Cameroun et Nigeria. C. Seignobos and E. Thys eds. 293-310. Paris: IEMVT, Maisons-Alfort.

(1998h) Biodiversity conservation and its opponents. Natural Resource Briefing Paper 32. London: Overseas Development Institute. http://www.odi.org.uk/nrp/32.html.

(1999a) Introduction. In: R.M.Blench (ed.) Natural Resource Management and Socio-economic Factors in Ghana. ix-xviii. London: Overseas Development Institute.

(1999b.) Agriculture and the environment in northeastern Ghana: a comparison of high and medium population density areas. In: R.M.Blench (ed.) Natural Resource Management and Socio-economic Factors in Ghana. 21-43. London: Overseas Development Institute.

(1999c) Why are there so many pastoral peoples in East Africa? In: Pastoralists under pressure? eds. V. Azarya, Anneke Breedveld, Miriam de Brujn and Han van Dijk. 29-49. Brill, Leiden.

(1999d) Are the African Pygmies an ethnographic fiction? In: Central African hunter-gatherers in a multi-disciplinary perspective: challenging elusiveness. K. Biesbrouck, S. Elders & G. Rossel eds. 41-60. Leiden: CNWS.

(1999e) Hunter-gatherers, conservation and development: from prejudice to policy reform. Natural Resource Briefing Paper 43. London: Overseas Development Institute. http://www.odi.org.uk/nrp/43.html

(1999f) [with C. Boyd and others] Reconciling interests among wildlife, livestock and people in Eastern Africa: a sustainable livelihoods approach. Natural Resource Briefing Paper 45. London: Overseas Development Institute. http://www.odi.org.uk/nrp/45.html.

(1999g) [with Florian Sommer] Understanding rangeland biodiversity. ODI Working Paper 121. London: Overseas Development Institute.  http://www.odi.org.uk/publications/working_papers/wp121.pdf

(1999h) Seasonal climatic forecasting: who can use it and how should it be disseminated? Natural Resource Briefing Paper 47. London: Overseas Development Institute. http://www.odi.org.uk/nrp/47.html.

(1999i) Traditional livestock breeds: distribution dynamics in relation to the ecology of West Africa. ODI Working Paper 122. London: Overseas Development Institute. http://www.odi.org.uk/publications/wp122.htm

(1999j) The Nigerian National Livestock Resource Survey: a personal account. In: L’Homme et l’animale dans le Bassin du Lac Tchad. C. Baroin &   J. Boutrais eds. 627-648. Paris: IRD.

(1999k) The westward wanderings of Cushitic pastoralists. In: L’Homme et l’animale dans le Bassin du Lac Tchad. C. Baroin &   J. Boutrais eds. 39-80. Paris: IRD.

(1999l) Animal traction in Africa: analysing its environmental impact. In: Meeting the challenges of animal traction. P. Starkey & P. Kaumbutho eds. 52-59. Zimbabwe: ATNESA/ London IT Publications. Can also be downloaded at http://www.atnesa.org/challenges/challenges-blench-environment.pdf

 (2000a) A history of donkeys and mules in Africa. In: The origin and development of African livestock. 339-354. London: University College Press.

(2000b) Minor livestock species in Africa. In: The origin and development of African livestock. R.M. Blench & K.C. MacDonald (eds.) 314-338. London: University College Press.

(2000c) A history of pigs in Africa. In: The origin and development of African livestock. R.M. Blench & K.C. MacDonald (eds.) 355-367. London: University College Press.

(2000d) Combining different sources of evidence for the history of African livestock. In: The origin and development of African livestock. R.M. Blench & K.C. MacDonald (eds.) 18-27. London: University College Press.

(2000e) Isachsen, O., Blench, R.M. & H. Egnéus   Taken for granted? An evaluation of Norway's Special Grant for the Environment. Oslo: Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(2001a) 'Till the cows come home' -why conserve livestock biodiversity? In:   Living off biodiversity: exploring livelihoods and biodiversity issues in   Natural Resources Management. I. Koziell & J. Saunders eds. 113-147. London: IIED.

(2001b) Understanding rangeland diversity In: Living off biodiversity: exploring livelihoods and biodiversity issues in   Natural Resources Management. I. Koziell & J. Saunders eds. 149-190. London: IIED.

(2001c) Speight, M.R., Blench, R.M. & D.M. Bourn   Insect diversity and livelihoods. In:   Living off biodiversity: exploring livelihoods and biodiversity issues in   Natural Resources Management. I. Koziell & J. Saunders eds. 231-269. London: IIED.

(2001c2001d) Globalisation and policies towards cultural diversity. Natural Resource Briefing Paper 70. London: Overseas Development Institute.  http://www.odi.org.uk/nrp/70.pdf.

(2001d2001e) Blench, R.M. and K.C. MacDonald. Domestic fowl. In: The Cambridge History of Food, Volume I. K.F. Kiple    & K.C. Ornelas eds. 496-499. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

(2001e2001f) MacDonald, K.C.   and R.M. Blench   Geese. In: The Cambridge History of Food, Volume I. K.F. Kiple   & K.C. Ornelas eds. 529-531. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

(2003a) R. Chapman, Blench, R.M. Kranjac-Berisavljevic’, G. and A.B.T. Zakariah Rural radio in agricultural extension; the example of vernacular radio programmes on soil and water conservation in N. Ghana. AGReN Paper. London: ODI. http://www.odi.org.uk/agren/papers/agrenpaper_127.pdf

(2003b)   Forecasts and farmers: exploring the limitations.   In: Coping with climate variability: the use of seasonal climate forecasts in Southern Africa. eds. K. O'Brien & C. Vogel. 59-71. Ashford: Ashgate.

(2003c)   The movement of cultivated plants between Africa and India in prehistory. In: K. Neumann, A. Butler & S. Kahlhaber (eds.) Food, fuel and fields: progress in African Archaeobotany. 273-292. Köln: Heinrich-Barth-Institut. Download at:http://homepage.ntlworld.com/roger_blench/Ethnoscience%20data/Africa-India%20crop%20movement.pdf

 

(2004a) The history and spread of donkeys in Africa. In: Donkeys, people and development. Denis Fielding & Paul Starkey. 24-32. ATNESA/Wageningen: CTA. Download at: http://www.atnesa.org/donkeys/donkeys-blench-history.pdf

(2004b) Biodiversity in Arid Lands: an overview paper. Annals of Arid Zone 43(3&4): 229-254.

 

(2005a)   From the mountains to the valleys: understanding ethnolinguistic geography in SE Asia. In: The peopling of East Asia. Sagart, L.   Blench, R.M. & A. Sanchez-Mazas (eds.) 31-50. London: Routledge.

(2005b)   Fruits and arboriculture in the Indo-Pacific region. BIPPA, 24:31-50.

 

 

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Books

1986. coed. with R. von Kaufmann and S. Chater Livestock systems research in Nigeria's subhumid zone. Volume of Conference Papers. ILCA, Addis Ababa.

1998. Resource conflict in semi-arid Africa. An essay and an annotated bibliography. ODI Research Study. London: Overseas Development Institute.

1999a. Bourn, D. & R.M. Blench [eds.] Can wildlife and livestock co-exist? An interdisciplinary approach. London: Overseas Development Institute.

1999b.   [ed.] Natural Resource Management and Socio-economic Factors in Ghana. ODI Research Study.

1999c. [with Zoë Marriage] Drought and livestock in semi-arid Africa and Southwest Asia. An essay and an annotated bibliography. ODI Working Paper 117. London: Overseas Development Institute.

2000. The origin and development of African livestock. coed. with K.C. MacDonald. University College Press, London.

2001. Blench, R.M. Pastoralism in the new millennium. FAO: Animal Health and Production Series, No 150.

2002a. Blench, R.M. and T. Slaymaker eds. Rethinking Natural Resource Degradation in Sub-Saharan   Africa: policies to support sustainable soil fertility management, soil   and water conservation among resource poor farmers in semi-arid   areas: country studies. Vol. I. Tamale: University of Development Studies.

2002b. T. Slaymaker and Blench, R.M. eds. Rethinking Natural Resource Degradation in Sub-Saharan   Africa: policies to support sustainable soil fertility management, soil   and water conservation among resource poor farmers in semi-arid   areas: case studies. Vol. II. Tamale: University of Development Studies.

2002c. Blench, R.M. and Slaymaker, T. eds. Pour une nouvelle approche de la lutte contre la dégradation des ressources naturelles en Afrique subsaharienne: Etudes de cas menées en Afrique de l’Ouest. Senegal : ENDA.

2002d. Blench, R.M., J. Farrington et al. eds. Area Development Projects, poverty reduction and the new architecture of aid. Synthesis [Vol I] and three case studies [Vol II]. Sida Report 02/14. Stockholm: Sida.

2004. Natural Resource Conflicts in North-Central Nigeria. London/Abuja: Mandaras Press/ DFID. With integrated CD-ROM.

 

2005. Sagart, L., Blench, R.M. & A. Sanchez-Mazas. The peopling of East Asia. London: Routledge.

 

2006. Archaeology, Language and the African Past. Lanham: Altamira Press.

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CDs

 

Conflict studies in Nigeria, 2003-2006. CD prepared for DFID, Nigeria

 

Papers In Press

 

(in press, a) [with A. de Jode and E. Gherzi] Donkeys in Nigeria: distribution and productivity. Proceedings of the ATNESA Workshop, Donkey Power Benefits. Addis Ababa, May 5-9, 1997.

 (in press, b) La conservación de la agrobiodiversidad en las Américas y en África. To appear in Manejo Integrado de plagas y Agroecología, Turrialba, Costa Rica. Also to appear in English in the proceedings of the 2nd CATIE Conference on Agricultural Development. Turrialba, Costa Rica, 19-21 March 2003.

(in press, c) Arbres fruitiers dans la région de Préfecture Logone Oriental, S. Tchad. Proceedings of the Mega-Tchad Conference, Paris.

(in press d) The intertwined history of the silk-cotton and baobab in West Africa. Proceedings of the 4th International Workshop for African Archaeobotany, Groningen 2003. Ed. R.T.J. Cappers.

 

(in press e) Reconstructing African subsistence systems: comparing crop names to trees and livestock. In: Rethinking Agriculture: Archaeological And Ethnoarchaeological Perspectives. L.Vrydaghs & T. Denham (eds.) London: UCL Press.

 

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Documents posted electronically

(1998a) [with Zoë Marriage] The social and technical construction of weather: El Niño and other climatic events in Sub-Saharan Africa. In: Proceedings of the Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum, Pilanesberg, South Africa, May 12-15, 1998. UK Meteorological Office.

(1998b) [with Zoë Marriage] Drought and Livestock in Africa and the Near East: Overview Paper. Posted on the FAO Electronic Conference Site. http://www.fao.org/ag/aga/agap/lps/drought1.htm

(2000) Issues and Options for the Horn of Africa. Posted on the FAO Site. http://www.fao.org

 

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Reports. Either written alone or in collaboration with others

 

(1984) Livestock and Land use   in   Southern Gongola State, Nigeria. (3 vols.).   Final report to the National Livestock Project Unit on the integrated air/ground survey of the Toungo Block.

(1985a) Integrated air-ground surveys   in   the Nigerian Subhumid Zone.   Final report to ILCA, Kaduna.

(1985b) West African air/ground survey synthesis. Report submitted to ILCA, Addis Ababa.

(1986a) Livestock production systems in the   Sahel: development constraints   and   proposed solutions.   Synthesis of materials   for   systems study of work by ILCA, Mali.   Submitted to IFAD.

(1986b)    Livestock and Land Use in Gezira Province,   Sudan. Volume IV of a study for DEVCO in preparation for the Gezira Integrated   Livestock   Project.   This   report   was submitted   in   1986   and but officially published   by   the Irish Government in 1988.

(1987a) Report on Guyaku Grazing Reserve. Report to NLPD, Kaduna.

(1987b) Refuge in the Sahel. Report to ODEM, Mopti, Mali on an air/ground survey of pastoralists in Mali's Fifth Region.[versions in English & French]

(1988) A livestock Survey in Red Sea Province, Sudan. A report to OXFAM on methods for conducting a livestock survey in Red Sea Province, Sudan.

(1989a) Patterns of Dairy Consumption in the Kaduna region. Report to ILCA Kaduna on a survey of the consumption of dairy products in Central Nigeria.

(1989b) Adventures in the skin trade. Report to ILCA Kaduna on a survey of the livestock and meat trade in Central Nigeria.

(1989c) Pastoral Associations and credit in Oum Hadjer, Batha Oriental, Chad. [versions in English & French]. Report to Oxfam, Ndjamena.

(1990) Livestock and Land Use in Niger and Anambra States, Nigeria. Report to Federal Livestock Department, Abuja, Nigeria.

(1992a) National Livestock Resource Survey. (6 vols.) Report to Federal Livestock Department, Abuja, Nigeria.

(1992b) Situation of Grazing Reserves in Nigeria. Report to LIMECU, Federal Livestock Department, Abuja, Nigeria.

(1992c) Programme Support Document- Livestock sub-sector. UNDP/FMFED, Lagos.

(1993a) Strengthening Water Resource Management in Nigeria. Report of FAO/CP mission.

(1993b) Third Livestock Development Project-Appraisal. Report of FAO/CP mission.

(1993c) A Study of the   Impact of Edo State ADP Communications Unit Broadcasts. Report to Edo State ADP.

(1994) Trends in the Distribution of   Traditional Livestock Breeds in Nigeria and Explanatory Models. Report to Animal Health Division, FAO.

(1995a) Jordan’s Rangelands: baseline socio-economic survey. Report to IFAD, Near East and North Africa Division.

(1995b) Soil and Water Conservation in the Karak/Tafila region: baseline socio-economic survey. Report to IFAD, Near East   and North Africa Division.

(1995c) Poor households in Arkhangay Aimak: baseline socio-economic survey. Report to IFAD, Asia Division.

(1997a) A preliminary description of the agricultural systems in northeastern Ghana: a comparison of high and medium population density areas. Report to NRPAD, DFID.

(1997b) The influence of human culture on the savannah landscapes of northern Ghana. Report to NRPAD, DFID.

(1997c) Subsistence strategies and resource management in south-eastern Africa: the case of the Rwenya basin in north-eastern Zimbabwe. Report to NRPAD, DFID.

(1997d) [with G. Gill and C. Turton] Pearl millet in developing countries. Report to DFID.

(1998b) Freshwater ecosystems, biodiversity loss and vulnerable peoples. Draft Natural Resource Briefing Paper. London: Overseas Development Institute.

(1998c) Between the wild and the domestic: rethinking   agriculture in Northern Ghana. Report to NRPAD, DFID.

(1998d)   Dagomba plant names. Report to NRPAD, DFID.

(1998e)   Yams and other tubers in the cultural ecology of the Dagomba of north-central Ghana. Report to NRPAD, DFID.

(1998g) ‘The answer lies in the soil’: comparative ethnopedology in northern Ghana. Unpublished report of the DFIF-supported project ‘Rethinking Land Degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa.

 (1998i) Blench, R.M., Marriage, Z. and P.A. Allsworth-Jones   Environmental briefing –Ukraine. Report to DFID.

(1998i) Blench, R.M. and E. Drake Environmental briefing –Tanzania. Report presented to DFID.

(1999a) Blench, R.M. and Z. Marriage   Environmental briefing –Gaza and the West Bank. Report presented to DFID.

(1999b) Blench, R.M. and Z. Marriage   Environmental briefing –Mexico. Report presented to DFID.

(1999c) Blench, R.M. and Z. Marriage   Environmental briefing –Nigeria. Report presented to DFID.

(1999d) Drought preparedness in Zimbabwe. Issues paper prepared for NRI as part of the study Drought preparedness in Eastern and Southern Africa.

(2000a) Environmental and Forced Resettlement guidelines of the Asian Development Bank. Report to JBIC.

(2000b) BDP Briefing paper Biodiversity and health. DFID/EC. Brussels.

(2000c) BDP Briefing paper Biodiversity and food security. DFID/EC. Brussels.

(2000d) Mainstreaming the environment: comparative experiences from other agencies. Paper prepared for DFID Environment Department.

(2000e) Desertification and land degradation in Nigeria. Paper prepared for the Nigeria-UK Bilateral Forum on the Environment.

(2000f)   Arbres sauvages et protégés de la région de l’oléoduc en Préfecture Logone Oriental, S. Tchad. Report to Exxon-Mobil. [Revised version in press following presentation at Mega-Tchad, 2002]

(2000g) Pastoralists in the Kome pipeline area. Report to Exxon-Mobil.

(2001) Mining and biodiversity. [together with PowerPoint presentations] Report to the Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development Initiative.

(2002a) Sustainable Poverty Reduction through Area Development Projects: Cambodia Country Report. Report to Sida for the Area Development Project Study.

(2002b) Karin Ralsgård, Dessalegn Rahmato & Roger Blench Sustainable Poverty Reduction through Area Development Projects: Ethiopia Country Report. Report to Sida for the Area Development Project Study.

(2002c) Steve Gossage, Guy Scott and Roger Blench. Sustainable Poverty Reduction through Area Development Projects: Zambia Country Report. Report to Sida for the Area Development Project Study.

(2002d) Conflict between pastoralists and cultivators in Nigeria. Report to DFID-Nigeria.

(2002e) Blench, R.M., Chapman, R.C. & T. Slaymaker. A study of the role of livestock in PRSPs. Report to AGAH, FAO, Rome.

(2003a) Investing in African livestock: present situation and future needs. Report to AGAH, FAO, Rome.

(2003b) Roger Blench & others. Resource conflict in the Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands. Study and report of a workshop. Report to ITAD/DFID.

(2003c) Roger Blench, Pat Daniel & Umaru Hassan. Access rights and conflict over common pool resources in three states in Nigeria. Report to Conflict Resolution Unit, World Bank.

(2003d) Drivers of pro-poor Change in Nigeria: the rural dimension. Report to DFID-Nigeria.

(2003e) Projections of change in livestock systems. Report to DFID-Nigeria.

(2003f) Roger Blench & Umaru Hassan. Profiling facilitators for Fadama II. Report to Conflict Resolution Unit, World Bank.

(2003g) Drivers of pro-poor Change in Nigeria: migration. Report to DFID-Nigeria.

(2003h) Drivers of pro-poor Change in Nigeria: culture, language and ethnicity. Report to DFID-Nigeria.

(2004) Report on fieldwork in four aimags in southern Mongolia. Report to ERM. Available for download at: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/roger_blench/Development%20reports/Report%20to%20CPR.pdf

(2005a) [with J-P. Poivey & H. Simianer]. Evaluation of EC support to ILRI. Brussels: European Union.

(2005b) [with Selbut Longtau and Umaru Hassan] The Impact Of Conflict & Insecurity On Trade, Market And Investment In Rural Nigeria. Report to DFID-Nigeria.

(2005c) Background to Upper East Region, Ghana. IFAD Working Paper.

(2005d) Non-beneficiary survey, Upper East Region, Ghana. IFAD Working Paper.

(2005e) Background to Upper West Region, Ghana. IFAD Working Paper.

(2005f) Non-beneficiary survey, Upper West Region, Ghana. IFAD Working Paper.

(2005g) Conflict in Nigerian markets: pastoral elements. Sub-report to University of Durham, appended as an independent document to report by G. Porter et al. to DFID-Nigeria.

(2005h) Working paper. Sociological and environmental aspects of project households in the RPAP project in two aimags of Mongolia. IFAD evaluation.

(2006a) Evaluation of RPAP. IFAD, Mongolia.

(2006b) Investment strategies for IFAD in Northern Ghana. IFAD Ghana desk.

(2006c) The role of traditional leaders in mediating conflict in Northern Nigeria. Interim report to DFID Nigeria.

(2006d) Evaluation of the Pact programme in Southern Sudan. Report to DFID Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department.

 

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Unpublished Seminar and Conference Papers [Date denotes year given]

 

(1989) Survey Methods for the Nigerian National Dairy Products Consumption Survey. ILCA/NLPD National Dairy Survey Workshop, Kaduna, February, 1989.

(1989) (ed) Papers from the ILCA/NLPD National Dairy Survey Workshop. Kaduna.

(1990) (with David Bourn) Initial findings of the Nigerian National Livestock Resource Survey. Conference in Kaduna, October 17-20, Problems and Prospects of the Nigerian Livestock Industry.

 

Electronic publications

 

Under the auspices of IFAD I have designed a bilingual Arabic/English front end for exploring socio-economic data captured in Access 2.0 databases.

 

 

Websites

 

http://www.odi.org.uk/rpeg/biodiversity/index.htm

http://www.odi.org.uk/pdn/index.html

http://www.odi.org.uk/rpeg/weather_prediction/index.html

http://www.odi.org.uk/rpeg/maps/index.html

http://www.odi.org.uk/rpeg/soil_degradation/index.html

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