Socio-Economic Implications of Farmers-Herders Conflict in Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examines the socio-economic implications of farmers-herdsmen conflict in Plateau state. Recent escalations of conflicts between farmers and herders in Nigeria have attracted the attention of both local and international communities. There has been an alarming, incessant and violent conflict between farmers and herders in the country. Major source of the conflict between farmers and herders is as a result of land related issues, especially over grazing fields which account for the highest percentage of the conflict. The conflict becomes a threat to security, food production, livestock production and human security. The two groups make their livelihood within the same geographical, political and socio-cultural conditions which may be characterized by resource scarcity or political inequality and population pressure. The manifestation of the conflict has continually threatened the unity and corporate existence of the Nigerian state. The menace of the conflict has metamorphosed to an organized armed confrontation with killings, injury and displacement. Wase in Plateau was selected for the study. Wase is one the most affected Local Government Areas suffering from farmers/herders conflict in the state. The study adopted a survey research design that involves the administration of questionnaire and in-depth interview (IDI). The population of the study included: security agents, community leaders, farmers and herdsmen. Findings from the study indicate that; socioeconomic activities were affected due to frequent escalation of the conflict between the farmers and herders in Plateau State. The study recommends among others that government should demarcate grazing reserves and farmlands for farmers and herders in the federation in order to reduce the likelihood of conflict between farmers and herdsmen.