FARMERS-HERDERS CONFLICT AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON FOOD SECURITY IN BENUE STATE, NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

YunanaYakubu Aku, PhD
Volume 3 Issue 2

Abstract

The study examined the implications of Farmers-Herders Conflict on Food Security in Benue State, North Central Nigeria spanning the period 2010-2022. Benue State was regarded as a core in terms of agricultural production; the government always provides sufficient modern equipment, fertilizer, and herbicide etc. It was on this note that Benue State was tag the “Food Basket of the Nation” but regrettably, crop production continues to decline which automatically became a threat to food security in the State. Frustration-Aggression Theory was adopted to guide the investigation because of its relevance which helps us to understand issues the study focuses on. The study uses stratified random sampling method while descriptive statistics was used for the analysis of data generated from questionnaire. The study uses primary and secondary data which was collected from 183 respondents that included the leaders of farmers, and herders associations and some state holders who are also in the category of farmers and herders in the various local government areas. The study found that, 87 Farmers who represent (95.6%) and 66 herdsmen stand at 80.5% acknowledge the facts that, they have been experiencing crisis in their area. While 51 of the herdsmen which stand at (62%) agreed that Tiv people use to kill them and take away their farm produce. Another question was asked whether they use to kill the famers as well but they replied no. The conclusion drawn from the findings shows that, farmers herders’ conflict is a strong threat to food security in Benue State with serious implications of food insufficiency leading to abject hunger and starvation in the state. The study recommends that the government should recognize the herdsmen with stringent laws and warning to both the herders and farmer in the uses of arms and ammunition for any reason. Key words: Benue State, Conflict, Food Security, Farmers and Herdsmen

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