1. geographic location—sites were selected in all three regions of the country (northern,
central, and southern) and in areas in the interior and on the frontier;
2. physical security—although security constraints were taken for the well-being of the
research team, we endeavored to investigate areas that had been both relatively secure and
relatively less secure during the war;
3. climate—sites were selected in rain-fed and irrigated areas;
4. economic investment—sites were chosen from areas that have historically experienced
economic investment (e.g., irrigated areas and lands near commercialized centers,
infrastructure, or transport routes) as well as areas that are relatively poor by comparison;
and
5. culture and ethnic diversity—field sites were chosen to reflect differences in local cultural
and political institutional arrangements (e.g., patrilineal or matrilineal kinship structures).
The research protocol was modified from site to site depending on the issues encountered.
The field team constantly evaluated incoming data and, when necessary, modified or added
new queries to accommodate unanticipated information. A consistent research strategy was
followed at each site. The team first interviewed provincial and district officials, including
locality-level extension agents. Data were obtained on population movements, agricultural
investment by both smallholders and larger commercialized interests, land acquisitions and
concessions, and local and indigenous (or customary) power structures. In addition, the team
often tried to interview representatives of the NGOs operating in the area of the field sites.
We attempted to obtain the official position with regard to land access in the identified area.
Maps were developed on-site from available DINAGECA (Direccao Nacional de Geografia
e Cadastro)" maps or from visual identification, and within the research sites officials were
asked to identify specific locales that were experiencing higher levels of reintegration,
investment, or land conflict.
The team then interviewed selected local people, focusing on smallholders (including
indigenous populations, reintegrating refugees, and displaced families) and larger commercial
interests. The local people interviewed were also asked to identify on the maps the lands and
areas that they believed to be experiencing notable levels of reintegration, investment, or land
conflict. A concerted effort was made to interview women farmers at each field site, and
often a woman member of the research team would identify and interview female community
members in the absence of their male counterparts or other male community members. This
was done once it was discovered that women farmers and landholders were usually more
forthcoming when men were not present.
Where possible the research team presented officials and private sector individuals with
the views of the local population and asked for their reactions as well as crosschecking
"official" information with the local population. In several instances discrepancies between
these views led to another round of field research. At least one week was spent at each site,
and in all four cases field locales were visited more than once. Where possible information
17. National Geography and Cadastre Unit with the Ministry of Agriculture; it is responsible, among other
duties, for land demarcation and issuance of land titles.