EFFECT OF HERDER - FARMER CONFLICT ON FOOD SECURITY
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The experience in Adamawa shows that recurrent conflicts between farmers and pastoralists are most noticeable during periods of raining season and dry season. In such periods, pastoralists tend to move their herds to places far away from their settlements (transhumance) in search for pastures and water, and sometimes animals graze on crop farms. These recurrent conflicts between farmers and pastoralists leave hundreds of people homeless, food insecure and others dead, following burning of houses and food crops in farms (Mwamfupe, 2013).
The magnitude of the conflicts has been increasing such that state interventions have become necessary. In an effort to address the conflicts between farmers and pastoralists, the Government of Nigerian was prompted to split village lands into areas for farmers and for livestock keepers. For instance, Kambala village in Mvomero District was split into two parts one for each of the major land uses grazing and crop cultivation (Mwamfupe, 2015).
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Nigeria's population grew from 33 million in 1950 to about 192.3 million in current years. The herder-farmer conflict is caused by different factors, such as ideological, historical, cultural influences, drought and migration, religious factors and most of it all by population explosion (Premium Times Nigeria, 2018). For example, the usages of land and water resources caused enormous pressure. Also, in the far north, the impact of desertification has resulted in deforestation and migration of herders (Ndubuisi, 2018 also reported a severe attack in Benue State in February 2016, over thousands of people were driven from six villages by the herdsmen. All these and several other factors can be said to by the causal factors which has adverse effects on the population but this study aims at investigating the effect of the herder farmer conflicts on food security.
1.3 Aim and Objectives
The overall aim of this study was to identify and analyze the effects of conflict between herder and farmers in a view of advising a rational institutional framework for sustainable and environmentally sound pastoral development interventions.
Objectives
The specific objectives of this study were:
1.To identify the major causes of conflict between the farmers and herders.
2.To examine the current level of food insecurity as a result of conflict in the study area.
3.To identify the major solutions in solving the conflict between the two dispute groups.
1. 4 Research Questions
The following research questions were postulated to achieve the stated objectives:
1. What are the major causes of conflict between the farmers and herders?
2. What is the current level of food insecurity as a result of conflict in the study area?
3.What are the major solutions in solving the conflict between the two dispute groups?
1.5 Scope and Limitation of the Study
The study is restricted to Gereng ward, Girie Local Government Area, Focuses on the effects of farmers and pastoralist conflict on food security. It noted that this project is greatly important for decisions makers and as a key to dispute resolution for stakeholders.
1.6 Significance of the Study
It is hoped that; the finding of this study will be great important to both farmers and pastoralist, the study will be of great benefit to traditional institutions, policy makers and students. The study can also lead to other researchable variables with a view to find better solution to the farmers and pastoralist conflicts in our various communities, if the finding and recommendation are utilized as supposed, it will create much awareness to the community and government functionaries to ameliorate problem of farmers and pastoralist in Gereng ward, Girie Local Government Area.
1.7 Area of the Study
Gereng ward is one of the wards in the six wards of Girie Local Government Area. Girie Local Government Area is situated closest to the Adamawa State Capital, Jimeta-Yola. The Local Government Area owes it's development and fast expansion to the presence of the current Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH).
1.7.1 Location and Extend
Girie is located on latitude 9°14'N, and longitude 12°.28E, 186(611ft) Adamawa as a whole, shares boundary with Taraba state in the south and west, Gombe State at its west Borno State at its north, it shares international boundary with Cameroon Republic along its eastern share boundary. The whole of Adamawa covers a land area of about 38,741km2.
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