CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF FARMER-HERDER CONFLICT ON FOOD PRODUCTION IN SELECTED AGRICULTURAL ZONES OF KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Conflict over scarcity of resources is a recurring phenomenon in Nigeria which continues to resonate between farmer and herder with negative consequences for food production. This study investigates the causes and consequences of farmer–herder conflict on food production in Kwara State, Nigeria using Agricultural Zone D as a study area. Mixed methods research design was employed and respondents include farmers, herders, traditional rulers, security officers, local government officials, agriculture and veterinary officers. The study found the destruction of crops, farmland and animals, use of under-age in grazing, poisoning of cows and access to arable land as the major causes of the conflict in the competition over arable lands for farming and grazing. The conflict has caused displacement of families and individuals, injuries and loss of lives in the Zone. Measures adopted to mitigate the conflict include interventions by security personnel and traditional institution with less recourse to litigation process. The challenges include inadequate compensation, deflated trust in the security personnel and lack of trust in the traditional institution mechanism. This study recommends promulgation of new and enforceable laws, government intervention backed with adequate resource allocation, capacity building among security personnel, traditional institution and establishment of alternative dispute resolution.