ANALYSIS: IMPACT OF COMMUNAL CONFLICT ON FOOD SECURITY IN BENUE SOUTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT
Usman David , Abdullahi Yahaya Adadu, PhD and lusegun Olutayo Cyru
Volume 5 Issue 2
Abstract
This study examines the impact of communal conflict on food security in Benue South Senatorial District, Nigeria, from 2014 to 2024. The research population comprised farming and herding communities directly affected by communal conflicts in the region. Using the Taro Yamane sample size determination formula, a sample of 381 respondents was selected for the study. Employing a descriptive survey research design, data were collected through structured questionnaires focusing on the four pillars of food security: availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability. Structural Equation Modeling with Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) was used to analyze the relationships between conflict and food security indicators. The findings indicate that communal conflicts have significantly disrupted food production, market access, dietary diversity, and overall food system stability, exacerbating food insecurity and economic hardship in the affected communities. The study recommends integrated conflict resolution, improved rural infrastructure, and community resilience initiatives to restore food security and foster sustainable peace in Benue South Senatorial District. Keywords: Communal Conflict, Food Security, Agricultural Production, Displacement and Community Resilience
Download Paper