Effect of Fulani-herdsmen and Farmers Crisis on Food Security in Abraka, Delta State-Nigeria
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives of the Study
The aim of this study is to examine the effects of Fulani herdsmen crisis on food security in Nigeria. The overall purpose of the study is to analyze the effect of Fulani herdsmen crisis on food security in the country. Specifically, the objectives of the study include to;
- Assess the causes of the Fulani herdsmen and farmers crisis in Abraka
- Evaluate the effect of Fulani herdsmen and farmers crisis on food security in Nigeria
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
The word “conflict” is as old as mankind. This is because the word has been in existence in all spheres of human life since the inception of the world. In the recent past, the world socio-political environs have been on the boil despite the colossal amount of human and material resources expended on global peace and conflict management by several nations, states, regional organisations and the United Nations (UN). Rather than global crisis diminishing in spite of the several steps taken, it is becoming more virulent and destructive because it has continued to drain the energy and manpower resources of the troubled spots if not the entire world and has emasculated governance. The word “conflict” is derived from the Latin word confligere, meaning to “strike together.”Lexically, according to Webster Dictionary, Vol. 1, 1971,conflict means: to strike, a fight, struggle or battle, clash, contention, confrontation, a controversy or quarrel, active opposition, strife or incompatibility, to meet in opposition or hostility, to contend, to be contrary or to be at variance.
Conflict also means contradiction arising from differences in interests, ideas, ideologies, orientations, beliefs, perceptions and tendencies. Although, conflict is a normal, natural and inevitable phenomenon in any interactive situation of human life, contradictions exists at all levels of the society – intra – psychic/personal, interpersonal, intra – groups, inter – group, institution, intra – national and international. Conflict is not necessarily negative in itself. It is often a by – product of social change and may lead to constructive transformation.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain a effect of Fulani-herdsmen and farmers crisis on food security. Abraka, Delta State. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing an a effect of Fulani-herdsmen and farmers crisis on food security. Abraka, Delta State
Summary
This study was on a effect of Fulani-herdsmen and farmers crisis on food security. Abraka, Delta State. Three objectives were raised which included: Assess the causes of the Fulani herdsmen and farmers crisis in Abraka and evaluate the effect of Fulani herdsmen and farmers crisis on food security in Nigeria. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from residents in Abraka, Delta state. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
Nigeria’s quest to stop its nose-diving into economic recession and subsequent depression is a battle which many believe could be won. Thus, its citizens, and more especially the social scientists, cannot fold their hands while the country continues in this down-turn. This concept informs the researcher’s decision to study the problem of land disputes and communal violence among the Fulani herdsmen and the farmers communities with a view to arriving at a solution. Some believe the problem is government’s affair while others believe government may even be the problem towing the line of Ronald Reagan who posited “ Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem (in his inaugural address as 40th president of the United States of America). However, the researcher believes it is a collective responsibility to tackle the issue headlong. In tackling the problem, a consideration is giving to what other researchers have done on the issue because there is no need trying to invent the wheel while the wheel has been invented. All that could be done is to add value to what has been done. For example, in describing land dispute some said it is “a territorial dispute… a disagreement over the possession and control of land between two or more territorial entities or over the possession or control of land, usually between a new state and the occupying power “New state” in this instance may explain why there is increase in land disputes when new states and local governments are created. At the same time it does not justify same in old states.
Further, others (www. wisegeek.com) describe land dispute as a dispute over the right of land use between land users and other organizations or persons in connection with the appropriation or withdrawal of land from the users, with the system of land management, and with the exercising of other functions of disposal and control of land. “Use” and “users”, thus, suggest that land disputes usually occur when parties want to use the land but disputes often start when land lies fallow. But why disputes at the point of usage? The great potentials of land may account to this dispute.In the context of this study land refers to the ground; an area of ground, especially when used for farming or building. To the economist, land is defined as a free gift of nature. Land in economics does not only include land surface (ground) of the earth but all other free gifts of nature or natural resources like forest, mineral resources, rivers, atmosphere etc. Unlike other factors of production, the supply of land is limited while its importance to persons, communities and nations at large is enormous. They include the following purposes: Farming, livestock, fishery, wildlife, collateral, security, construction, social or recreational, residential buildings, industrial buildings, sources of minerals and transportation purposes. Thus, although the supply of land is limited, yet its importance is, however, unlimited. Hence, the intense fight to “grab” land, results in a corresponding conflicts.
The Fulani herdsmen and the farmers conflict has been protracted partly because of the apparent incapacity of the Nigerian State to provide security, law and order to its citizens. This intermittent conflict situation that erupted between the Fulani herdsmen and the farmers of Central Nigeria over the last six decades has taken a great toll in terms of human life, underperformance of economic activities and has led to the overall stagnation of development in the area. Complex factors such as lack of access to political and traditional authority, citizenship status, land and population growth have been responsible for the periodic conflict between these two neighbouring tribes who had hitherto lived relatively peacefully together. Past efforts to resolve the conflict have not been sustainable. The return of peace has always been tenuous and as long as the two state governments of Benue and Taraba and the Federal Government fail to tackle the fundamental constitutional issue of “indigene-settler” dichotomy and access to political and other resources, the conflict cycle may not likely end soon. This is indeed an unfortunate situation.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In view of the above, the following recommendations are made:
Governments of the two states should build upon the existing albeit fragile peace and reconciliation efforts by promoting awareness campaigns, through radio and other local media, that focus on communalities rather than differences between ethnic groups.
Develop an early warning and response mechanism in conjunction with the relevant security agencies.
The two governments should further aid the reconciliation process by ensuring that perpetrators of the conflicts are identified, including members of the security forces, and brought to justice. (Up till now, there has been no single prosecution of persons accused of igniting and or taking part in the various conflicts).
Foreign governments, international and local Non – Governmental Organizations (NGOs) should insist that the Authorities of the two states carry out prosecutions of those responsible for these conflicts (these NGOs get involved in humanitarian services at the outbreak of each round of crisis).
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