Al-Hikmah University Journal

Farmers-herders conflict is one of the most difficult challenges of national security that has threatened lives and properties across many States in Nigeria. The North central region, which is often regarded as the largest producers of agricultural crops in Nigeria, is under attack by cattle belonging to herders with attendant loss to crops and displacement of farmers from their farmlands. The paper examines the implications of farmers-herders conflict on crop production in North Central Nigeria using Kogi, Kwara and Nasarawa states as units of analysis. The objectives of the paper are to examine the historical relationship between farmers and herdsmen in North Central Nigeria; analyze development of conflict leading to recent violence; assess food productivity before recent violence and now and suggest policy recommendations to reduce conflict between herdsmen and farmers. The study relies on structured and key informants interview guides. The research sample consists 150 respondents purposively selected from the study area. The respondents are drawn from All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN). The study employs both primary and secondary data (from Agricultural Development Project). The data are analyzed using SPSS statistical analysis. The finding from the paper revealed that farmers and herders had lived peacefully with each other in Kogi (97.7%), Kwara (95.9%) and Nasarawa States (86%) as a result of mutual trade in crop and animal exchange. It was revealed that destruction of crops by herders was the main cause of conflict between farmers and herders in Kogi , (72.1%), Kwara (66.7%) and Nasarawa (89.5%) States. The finding further revealed that there was sharp decline and increase in food production in Kogi ( 96.3%), Kwara (95.6%) and Nasarawa (89.3%) States due to persistent destruction of crops occasioned by farmers-herders conflict. This claim was further supported with available data on market prices in the study area that indicates exponential increase in food prices with high inflation on food commodities. The paper concludes that farmers-herders conflict has undermined agricultural productivity in the North central region with an implications on high cost of food prices and reduction in farm output. The study recommends that reconciliation and dialogue workshop between farmers and herdsmen will restore their strained relationship and strengthen the socio-economic ties between them.