ASSESSMENT OF STRATEGIES FOR CONFLICTS RESOLUTION BETWEEN FARMERSHERDSMEN ALONG BAKALORI IRRIGATION VALLEY, ZAMFARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed strategies for conflict resolution between farmers and herdsmen along Bakalori irrigation valley 
of Zamfara state, Nigeria. Three objectives were drawn to guide the research. A survey design was used as road map 
with a total population of 122,345 which comprise of 65,756 farmers and 56,589 herdsmen from Maradun, Mafara 
and Bakura local Government Areas (LGAs) where the Bakalori irrigation valley located. Multi stage sampling 
technique was used to draw the sample size of 485 respondents. The instrument used for data collection was a 
structured questionnaire divided into three sections according to the specific objectives of the study. The 
questionnaire was validated using face and content validity which was pilot-tested at Bakalori Rima valley irrigation 
scheme in Zamfara State using 50 respondents (25 farmers and 25 herdsmen). A reliability coefficient using 
Cronbach alpha method of 0.724 was obtained. The study found that strong relationship exists between the 
independent strategies adopted to resolve conflicts among farmers and herders. The mechanisms used for successful 
conflict resolution between crop farmers-herdsmen were mainly institutional. It was recommended among others 
that a non-kinetic means such as encouraging inter marriages and social events between crop farmers-herdsmen 
should be explored and encouraged to avert incessant conflicts in the area.