IMPACT OF COMMUNAL CONFLICT ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY ANDRESOLUTION STRATEGIES AMONG FARMING COMMUNITIES IN BENUE AND NASARAWASTATES

Abstract

The study assesses effects of communal conflict on agricultural productivity and resolution strategies among
farming communities in Benue and Nasarawa states.The study was guided by two specific objectives, two
research questions and two null hypotheses. The researcher adopted descriptive survey research design. The
population of the study was all farmers, herdsmen and traditional rulers in Benue and Nasarawa states. Two
hundred and forty sample (240) comprising of 100 farmers, 100 herdsmen and 40 traditional rulers from Benue
and Nasarawa states were purposively and conveniently selected for the study. Structured questionnaire as well
as interview schedule was used as instruments for data collection. Face to face method of instrument delivery
with the help of three research assistants was used to distribute the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics of mean
and standard deviation were used to answer all the research questions. Inferential statistics of ANOVA was
used to test all the null hypotheses at 0.05 levels of significance. The results of the analysis revealed s that
Communal conflict affect farming communities, result to low agricultural production, leads to famine among
households, decreases their family income, affect the education of the children, bridge the peaceful coexistence
among the farming communities as well low food supply in the market square. Demarcation between farming
sites and grazing routes, adoption and implementation of effective land use and environmental policies and
promotion of religious tolerance by traditional rulers and other relevant stakeholders are significant strategies
in achieving conflict resolution among farming communities but use of court of law in solving farmers/herders
conflict.The researchers concluded that communal conflict wage serious war against agricultural productivity
in Benue and Nasarawa states. The implication is that if the functional strategies are not put in place to
resolving conflict between farming communities, agricultural production within the states would not be
sustained. The researchers therefore, recommended that farmers/herdsmen traditional rulers, state and federal
government as well as international community should make untiring efforts to educate and enlighten the
farmers and herdsmen on the need to co-exist in peace for sustainable agricultural development.