The Nature and Dynamics of Herdsmen and Farmers’ Crisis in Nigeria: a Case Study of Benue State
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of this study are;
- To investigate the causes of herders and famers crisis in Benue State and to contribute to the solution of curbing the menace.
- To identify the socio economic implications of herder/farmer crisis in Benue State
- To ascertain the nature and dynamics of herdsmen and farmers crisis in Benue state, Nigeria
- To study the prevalence of Farmers-Herders conflicts in Benue state, Nigeria.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
THE DYNAMICS OF FARMERS AND HERDSMEN CLASHES
All over Nigeria there is an emphasis on the need for the promotion of agriculture as an alternative to oil as a major source of national revenue. A lot of agricultural programmes are put in place by governmental and nongovernmental organization. Due to this emphasis on agricultural production, many people are going into farming; likewise more people are going into livestock and cattle breeding in particular. The effect of this agricultural surge is that there is a competition for the available land resources between farmers and herdsmen. A dimensional problem arises as cattle do graze on the farms of farmers and farmers in retaliation attacks the cows of the herdsmen. The herdsmen go on a reprisal attacks on the farmers largely because they value their cows immensely. So the attacks and reprisal attacks by farmers and herdsmen leads to destruction of lives and properties and also precipitate national disintegration. Timeline of Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria as recorded by Gbaradi (2018) showed that Fulani herdsmen killed 3,780 Nigerians in attacks across the country excluding the injured and abducted. On the other hand, farmers have killed scores of cows and Fulani herdsmen in reprisal attacks for the destruction of farms and farm produce by cows. For example, from the records of Gbaradi (2018) herdsmen invaded 2 villages in Agatu LGA in Benue state killing 8 villagers allegedly in retaliation for the killing of 112 cows.
EFFECTS OF FARMERS AND HERDSMEN CONFLICT IN NIGERIA
The insistent feud between the herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria has devastating effects on the citizens. The effect of this conflict ranges from wanton destruction of lives and properties to decline in agricultural product which is the major source of sustenance in the nation.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to the nature and dynamics of herdsmen and farmers crisis in Nigeria: A case study of Benue state
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
Primary source and Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the nature and dynamics of herdsmen and farmers crisis in Nigeria: a case study of Benue 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 the challenges of herdsmen and farmers crisis in Nigeria: a case study of Benue state
Summary
Chapter one identifies the concepts and problems arising herdsmen and farmers in Benue state. The chapter gave a general background to the study in between herdsmen and farmers crisis. The chapter also states the problems, significance and objective of the study. Also formulated was the hypothesis and research question of the study which was tested in chapter four. Chapter two create literature review for the study. The chapter discussed causes of the crisis between herdsmen and farmers. A section in the chapter also gave a possible solution to the crisis. In chapter three, the various procedures employed to obtain both the primary and secondary data were outlined. These include the design of the research work, the population of the study, sampling method used in gathering data and the tool to test the classified data the classification, presentation, evaluation and analysis of data was done in chapter four. The chapter also analyzed the data obtained through the questionnaire and utilization of interview tips on the hypothesis. The test tool was applied on the key questions. Chapter five which is the last chapter summarized, drew conclusions and made recommendations on the study.
Conclusion
The conflict and clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers have claimed enormous scores of lives in Nigeria. The death toll of the killing of Nigerians by herdsmen is about 3,780 from 2012 to 2018 (Gbaradi, 2018). The effects of farmers’ and herdsmen conflict in Nigeria are overwhelming. This conflict has led to the destruction of lives and properties in Nigeria; it has also affected the Nigerian economy adversely, the destruction of farm produce and killing of cows have not fared well with the Nigerian economy, psychological wellbeing of victims’ relatives and survived victims of the attacks have been distorted adversely (International Crises Group, 2017, Gambari, et al, 2018, Adisa and Adekunle, 2012 & Bello, 2013). Scholars have identified some fundamental causes of farmers and herdsmen conflict in Nigeria; land use which also involves scarcity of land resources, ethnic and religious differences were among the major factors (Muhammed, et al 2015, NPC, 2012, Adisa, 2012, Okoli, & Atelhe, 2014, Blench, 2004, Nfomi, 2014). Other identified causes of clashes between farmers and herdsmen includes; destruction of crops by cattle, burning of rangelands, increasing rate of cattle theft, decline in internal discipline and social cohesion and inadequacy of grazing resources (Ingawa et al 1999 & Bello, 2013). Conflict resolution is a core competency of social work practice. Social Workers continuously work in areas where conflict is prevalent on a daily basis (Kelly, 2014 & Mayer, 2013). Social work proffered lasting solution to the conflict and incessant clashes between the farmers and herdsmen which is creation of grazing reserves which is healthier for cattle breeding when compared to open grazing
Recommendation
The following recommendations are made for possible policy implementation:
- Government should establish cattle grazing fields in the six geo-political zones of the country and out-law open grazing of cattle. This must be done through due consultation, dialogue or appeal to some aggrieved regions of the country which may oppose or resist the move.
- Poor water management practice in the country should be improved by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources. This is in view of the fact that climate change cum water shortage and drought are the major reasons herdsmen are migrating southward in search of fresh water and grass for their cattle.
- Herdsmen should be properly educated or re-oriented on the sanctity of human lives, and taught how to use better channels of communication to convey their grievances than resorting to conflict.
REFERENCES
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