SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECT OF FARMERS-HERDERS CONFLICT ON FOOD SECURITY IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to assess the socio-economic effect of farmers-herders conflict on food security in Nigeria; a case study of Owan East. The descriptive survey design was adopted in this study. The area of the study is Owan East of Edo state while the population of this study comprised of 87,577 male and female residents of Owan East Local Government Area, Edo State that are within the age of 20 years and 69 years. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 398 residents in four out of the eleven wards that make up Owan East Local Government Area. Self-structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection which was validated by the researcher’s supervisor and three other experts taking into consideration the face, content and constructs validity of the instrument. The research instrument yielded a reliability score of 0.76 in a pilot study conducted, thus indicating that the instrument was reliable. The method of data collection was face to face survey method. Descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution and percentages represented in tables and charts was used in the data analysis. The study findings revealed that poverty, educational attainment and place of residence are the major socio-economic characteristics influencing farmer-herder conflicts in Owan East while factors such as; climate change, livestock mobility, scarcity of resource such as grazing lands, drinking water, as well as increase in population without proper planning are the major institutional and environmental factors influencing farmer-herder conflicts in Owan East. This study thus concluded that due considerations for the socio-economic effect of farmers-herders conflict is necessary if lasting solution is to be obtained. Based on the study findings, the study thus recommends that Government at all levels should improve security and end all forms of impunity by demonstrating more decisive leadership. Also, herders and farmers responsible for violence should be held accountable and made to face the full wrath of the law.