IMPACT OF PASTORALIST-CROP FARMERS’ CONFLICTS ON FOOD ACCESSIBILITY IN BENUE NORTH-WEST SENATORIAL DISTRICT OF BENUE STATE

DOO DAISY SALEM-UGO; ABDULLAHI NUHU LIMAN; USMAN ALHAJI YUSUF

doi:10.70382/mejhlar.v10i6.071

Authors

DOO DAISY SALEM-UGO Security and Strategic Studies, Institute of Governance and Development Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
PROF. ABDULLAHI NUHU LIMAN Security and Strategic Studies, Institute of Governance and Development Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR USMAN ALHAJI YUSUF Security and Strategic Studies, Institute of Governance and Development Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Crop farmers and pastoralists’ conflict has occurred in many parts of Nigeria, especially in Benue State, resulting in wanton destruction of lives and properties, hence affecting accessibility in the State. The paper was underpinned by the Eco-Violence theory, which is vital in the understanding of the role scarcity of land resources play in driving crop farmers-pastoralists’ conflict in Benue State. The aim of this paper was to examine the impact of pastoralists and crop farmers’ conflict on food accessibility in Benue State. The instrument for data collection in this study was a structured questionnaire titled: "Pastoralist-Crop Farmers Conflicts and Food Security Questionnaire (PCFCFSQ)” developed by the researcher. The questionnaire items were structured using a 4-point rating scale. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Mean and standard deviations were used to answer the research questions. This enabled the researcher to ascertain a typical mean score on each item whether or not it reached an acceptable level. A benchmark of 2.50 was used for decision making. Any mean scores of 2.50 and above was accepted as having the desired impact while mean scores of less than 2.50 was rejected as not having the impact. Chi-square (χ²) of goodness fit was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings showed that that pastoralists-crop farmers’ conflicts have negative impact on food accessibility in Benue North-West Senatorial District of Benue State. It is recommended, among other things, that government and international organizations should encourage through provision of soft loans to pastoralists to enable them adopt ranching system where all cattle herds would be housed in a given location and feed while crop farmers should be given soft loans to expand their farming into commercial farming venture to help expand the existing dwindling food supply in the state.