Impact of the Farmers and Herdsmen Conflict on Food Security; Focus on Taraba State

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue III, March 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Impact Of The Farmers And Herdsmen Conflict On Food Security; Focus On Taraba State.

Solomon, Binga Lezuya (Ph.D.)
Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract: One of the greatest security challenges in Nigeria in recent time is the increasing conflicts between crop farmers and herders. Today, the conflict has spread over wide geographical areas in Nigeria and Taraba State in particular. Taraba state is one of the state in Nigeria that have been greatly affected by conflict between farmers and herders. It is against this background that this study was carried out to examine the extent to which conflicts between farmers and herders affect food production, food availability, food stability, food utilization in Taraba state. The study adopted survey research method and sampled 285 respondents using multi stage sampling technique. The data for this study was obtained from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data was generated from field survey carried out in the state. The study utilized data and infrastructure from study multiple policy documents in State Ministry of Agriculture, Jalingo. Data generated from the field was complemented by extensive review on the farmer herders conflicts. The data collected were analyzed using p-table and percentage, and Pearson Correlation used to test the hypotheses. The study findings revealed that the increasing incidence of the farmers herders conflicts has led to widespread distribution of food stuff, lives and properties and entrenched atmosphere of fair and insecurity in the rural communities. This has greatly affected crop farming and grazing activities, resulting in low productivity, food instability, low food utilization, food inaccessibility and inadequate availability of food in Taraba state. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others the need to assist farmers with zero interest credit facilities to boost production and strengthen ties between herders and farming communities to improve security in rural farming areas.

Key words: Farmers, Herdsmen, Conflict, Food Security, Taraba State, amongst others.

I. INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

One major problem confronting world and national peace today is the manifestation of conflicts in different dimensions across the globe. From Europe to America, Africa to Asia, conflicts are common phenomena (Jeony, 2008, p.56). Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, Nigeria has faced and is still facing widespread violent conflict of horrific proportion among the various groups, communities, religion and political class across the country. These incessant and widespread conflicts significantly differ in dimension, process and the actors involved.

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