| dc.description.abstract | The ever-increasing levels of forced displacement driven by conflicts, environmental crises, and other socio-political factors, are disproportionately impacting low- and middle-income countries. Uganda, home to Africa's largest refugee population, has in the face of this employed progressive refugee policies and a settlement approach, characterised by land allocation, integrated service provision, and freedom of movement. In this context of coexistence between refugee- and host communities, both challenges and opportunities arise. This study explores how intercommunity relations, interaction, and collaboration within refugee-host communities in selected settlements in Adjumani district influence the exchange of knowledge and innovation in agricultural practices. In this endeavour, a qualitative research method in the form of in-depth semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and participant observation was employed. Furthermore, Social Practice Theory is applied as a theoretical framework guiding the exploration of changes in agricultural practices in refugee-host communities. The findings of this study suggest that through social networks, knowledge exchange and adoption of new practices is taking place between the groups. The findings further suggests that “arenas for interaction and collaboration”, which refers to arenas such as joint training programs, collaborative projects and saving groups, are important for the building of these social networks, and that these arenas are set in motion and facilitated by the Ugandan government’s refugee policies and settlement approach. Additionally, the study reveals breaches in land use agreements between hosts and refugees as a significant challenge that warrants closer examination and policy considerations. | |
