ANATOMY OF CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF THE FARMER-HERDER CONFLICT ON FOOD SECURITY IN BENUE STATE, 2015-2023

Benue State has recorded significant increase in farmer-herder conflict and major drawbacks in communal coexistence. This study examines the causes of the conflict and its effects on food security in the state. The structural conflict theory was used in analyzing the major variables while descripti...

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Main Authors: ACHANYA JULIUS JOHN, VARZOA LUMA
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Federal University Wukari 2024-05-01
Series:International Studies Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://wissjournals.com.ng/index.php/wiss/article/view/277
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author ACHANYA JULIUS JOHN
VARZOA LUMA
author_facet ACHANYA JULIUS JOHN
VARZOA LUMA
author_sort ACHANYA JULIUS JOHN
collection DOAJ
description Benue State has recorded significant increase in farmer-herder conflict and major drawbacks in communal coexistence. This study examines the causes of the conflict and its effects on food security in the state. The structural conflict theory was used in analyzing the major variables while descriptive documentary design involving a mix of exploratory interview, Focus Group Discussion, observation, analyses of official documents and secondary data was utilized to triangulate evidence. Twenty (20) participants were purposively drawn from the population in the study area for interviews and focused group discussions and their responses were transcribed, presented and analyzed in a descriptive form using thematic headings. Deriving from the study findings, the results generated indicated that the underlying cause of the farmer-herder conflict in Benue State is climate change with its attendant consequence of herders migrating from the north to the state in search of pasture and water points. However, trigger causes muted by respondents include but not limited to illegal invasion of farms and destruction of crops by cattle, cattle rustling and theft; passage of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017, among others. Effects of the conflict on food security include the destruction of human lives and animals, farmlands and properties, drop in food production, hike in food prices, and rise in poverty level among the people, social dislocation and population displacement, among others. Against this backdrop, the study recommends that aside intensifying campaigns and actions against climate change, the Benue State Government and its critical stakeholders should strengthen and improve local peace building and reconciliation systems, among others.
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spelling doaj-art-8721efae45bf408d9356018549a69a6b2025-02-10T10:00:35ZengFederal University WukariInternational Studies Journal2756-46492024-05-0181ANATOMY OF CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF THE FARMER-HERDER CONFLICT ON FOOD SECURITY IN BENUE STATE, 2015-2023ACHANYA JULIUS JOHN0VARZOA LUMA1EDERAL UNIVERSITY WUKARI, TARABA STATEFEDERAL UNIVERSITY WUKARI, TARABA STATE, NIGERIA Benue State has recorded significant increase in farmer-herder conflict and major drawbacks in communal coexistence. This study examines the causes of the conflict and its effects on food security in the state. The structural conflict theory was used in analyzing the major variables while descriptive documentary design involving a mix of exploratory interview, Focus Group Discussion, observation, analyses of official documents and secondary data was utilized to triangulate evidence. Twenty (20) participants were purposively drawn from the population in the study area for interviews and focused group discussions and their responses were transcribed, presented and analyzed in a descriptive form using thematic headings. Deriving from the study findings, the results generated indicated that the underlying cause of the farmer-herder conflict in Benue State is climate change with its attendant consequence of herders migrating from the north to the state in search of pasture and water points. However, trigger causes muted by respondents include but not limited to illegal invasion of farms and destruction of crops by cattle, cattle rustling and theft; passage of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017, among others. Effects of the conflict on food security include the destruction of human lives and animals, farmlands and properties, drop in food production, hike in food prices, and rise in poverty level among the people, social dislocation and population displacement, among others. Against this backdrop, the study recommends that aside intensifying campaigns and actions against climate change, the Benue State Government and its critical stakeholders should strengthen and improve local peace building and reconciliation systems, among others. https://wissjournals.com.ng/index.php/wiss/article/view/277ConflictCausesEffectsFarmer-herderFood Security
spellingShingle ACHANYA JULIUS JOHN
VARZOA LUMA
ANATOMY OF CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF THE FARMER-HERDER CONFLICT ON FOOD SECURITY IN BENUE STATE, 2015-2023
International Studies Journal
Conflict
Causes
Effects
Farmer-herder
Food Security
title ANATOMY OF CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF THE FARMER-HERDER CONFLICT ON FOOD SECURITY IN BENUE STATE, 2015-2023
title_full ANATOMY OF CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF THE FARMER-HERDER CONFLICT ON FOOD SECURITY IN BENUE STATE, 2015-2023
title_fullStr ANATOMY OF CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF THE FARMER-HERDER CONFLICT ON FOOD SECURITY IN BENUE STATE, 2015-2023
title_full_unstemmed ANATOMY OF CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF THE FARMER-HERDER CONFLICT ON FOOD SECURITY IN BENUE STATE, 2015-2023
title_short ANATOMY OF CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF THE FARMER-HERDER CONFLICT ON FOOD SECURITY IN BENUE STATE, 2015-2023
title_sort anatomy of causes and effects of the farmer herder conflict on food security in benue state 2015 2023
topic Conflict
Causes
Effects
Farmer-herder
Food Security
url https://wissjournals.com.ng/index.php/wiss/article/view/277
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