CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF INCESSANT HERDERS AND FARMERS' CLASHES ON FOOD SCARCITY IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

 The reoccurring conflict between herdsmen and farmers has been a major challenge to food security and scarcity in Nigeria. This study examined the implications of farmers-herdsmen conflict on food production using prone zone (Enugu State) as a a focus.The specific objectives of the paper were to identify and analyse the causes of conflict between herdsmen and farmers in Enugu State; examine the impacts of the conflict on food production in the state; assess the implications of the conflict on food security in the state; and suggest some recommendations for improved productivity in the state. The findings from the paper revealed that land resources, mischiefs, grazing animals by under-aged children, influx of foreign herdsmen are the major causes of conflict between farmers and herdsmen in Enugu State. Based on the information gathered, persistent attacks on farmlands are among the reasons for low productivity of farm produce. The implications are low financial income and increase in price of food items and socio-economic development. This situation if not addressed, could result into hunger and poverty for average households and low revenue generation for the State Government. The study recommended among other things that regular workshop programme on peaceful coexistence and tolerance should be organized for farmers and herdsmen in all the LGAs in the State. Government should consolidate on the advocacy talk organised by the Department of Livestock, in the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Pages: 17, Font: 14, Times New Roman, 2-Line Spacing, A4'. TO GET THE FULL WORK, CLICK HERE