SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPLICATION OF FARMERS-HERDSMEN CONFLICT IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the socio-economic implication of farmers-herders conflict in Benue State, Nigeria. Farmers-herders conflict had displaced no fewer than 5,000 persons in the wake of the crisis in Benue State. Such displaced farmers have become a source of liability to other farmers whom they have to beg for food for themselves and their families. Thereby, creating a vicious cycle of poverty in such communities. The study adopted simple random sampling technique in selecting five local government areas in the State and they include; Guma, LGA, Ipiga LGA, Logo LGA, Mkgovur LGA, and Tse-Akaa LGA in Benue State. The study made use of quantitative methods of data collection and as a result, four hundred and seventy (470) copies of questionnaire were used to illicit information from the respondents. The study revealed that 79.2% agreed that the cause of farmers-herders’ conflict in Benue State, Nigeria is due to overlap of farmlands. Also, 90.1% attest the conflict is associated with the conflict of land resource use exacerbated by dwelling resources in Benue State. Furthermore, it revealed that 86.2% confirmed that it leads to relocation of people from Benue State, 84.4% believed that it affects investment and foreign earnings in Benue State, and 86.4% agreed that farmers-herders’ conflict have retarded development in Benue State. The study therefore concluded that farmers-herders conflict affects the socio-economic livelihood of people in Benue State, and by extension in Nigeria where there is conflict. As a results, the study recommended that government at all levels (local, state and federal) should put machinery in place to reduce and curb the conflicts between farmers and herders in the State. Also, residents should be sensitized and educated to always report any suspicious activities of the herdsmen to the security agencies in Benue State, Nigeria. Finally, Government and relevant stakeholders should embrace ranching as a way forward for livestock production in Benue State and Nigeria at large.