Herdsmen/Native Farmers’ Violence in Benue State and Food Security in Nigeria

Abstract

The herdsmen/farmers' violence in Benue State, Nigeria has constituted security challenges and could have contributed to food insecurity as more than 2000 lives were lost in Nigeria and over 170,000 were internally displaced in Benue state, a state tagged "food Basket of Nigeria". The paper among others examined the effects of the violence on food production in Benue State and Nigeria. It was descriptive study that adopted mixed method, using quantitative and qualitative approaches by relying on secondary data. The violence was negatively significantly correlated with sorghum production alone out of ten food crops examined in Benue State (p<0.05). Contrary to general perception, there was no significant relationship between food production in Benue State and Nigeria (p>0.05). Population growth was significantly correlated with maize production only (p=0.023); agricultural budgetary allocation was positively significantly correlated with rice production only (p=0.001). It concluded that food insecurity in Nigeria was beyond herdsmen/farmers' violence. It recommended modernization and transformation of agriculture to increase food production and government should develop political will and be proactive in confronting security challenges in an inclusive manner.

Perceptions and Implications of Herdsmen and Farmer's Bloody Clashes on Sustainability and Economic Growth in Nigeria: Investigative Journalism Approach

“…Therefore, food crops production has been negatively affected. This report is in consonance with the study of Alao et al,(2019) which posited that over 170000 farmers where chased from their farm settlements and homes. The remaining 10% participants opine that shortage of food crop production may be caused by some other factors such as increasing human population without a corresponding improvement in agricultural activities.…”

“…Table 3 clearly showed that the entire interviewees regretted the negative results from the violence and there is urgent task to stop it for peace, law and order, to permeate the country. The studies of (Alao et al,2019;Edward, 2022 ;Lawal et al, 2018 ;Akinkuolie, 2018) adumbrated on the economic, social and political implications of the violence ensuing between herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria.…”

“…Nigerians are experiencing unprecedented catastrophes via the destruction of lives, farmlands and properties for about ten years. Alao et al, (2019) affirmed that over 2000 persons were killed and more than 170,000 people displaced from their homes and villages across the country. Several reasons have been adduced for herdsmen and cattle migration to Southern Nigeria which includes draught in the Sahel leading to serious desertification.…”

Stakeholders’ Perceptions on Agricultural Land-Use Change, and Associated Factors, in Nigeria

“…We purposely selected the state because agriculture is the major source of livelihood for over 70% of its 4.25 million population [30]. However, the prolonged incidence of farmer-herder conflict has made Benue a center of resource-based conflict in Nigeria [31]. We wished, therefore, to understand the connection of this conflict in the context of ongoing ALUC.…”

“…population [30]. However, the prolonged incidence of farmer-herder conflict has made Benue a center of resource-based conflict in Nigeria [31]. We wished, therefore, to understand the connection of this conflict in the context of ongoing ALUC.…”