IMPACT OF CONFLICT BETWEEN FARMERS AND PASTORALISTS ON FOOD SECURITY IN BENUE STATE

Abstract

This study examined the impact the impact of conflict between crop
farmers and pastoralists on food security in Benue State. The study
adopted the multi-stage sampling method to select three out of the
twenty-three local government areas; one from each of the geopolitical
zones in the state. In Benue North East senatorial district
Logo Local Government area was selected, Benue North West
senatorial district Guma Local Government area was chosen and in
Benue South senatorial district Agatu Local Government area was
selected. The instruments of data collection used were questionnaires,
Focused Group Discussion and key informant interview. The major
findings of this study revealed that destruction of crops by the
pastoralists without compensation, the mischief from both the farmers
and pastoralists and rape of women are the major causes of the conflict
in Benue State. As revealed in the study, a total of 933.3 hectares of
farmlands were cultivated and 587.9 hectares (63%) of farmland were
destroyed as a result of the conflict. This has indeed affected food
availability. Thus, using Food Security Measurement Module (FSMM),
the result indicates there is food insecurity in the areas that
experienced this conflict. The study recommends among others the
establishment of ranches, checking the proliferation of small arms and
light weapons and the need for massive reforestation in drought prone
states in Northern Nigeria as measures of reducing crop farmers and
pastoralists’ conflict in Nigeria in general and Benue State in
particular.