Herdsmen-Farmer Conflicts and Their Effects on Agricultural Productivity and Rural Livelihoods

Subject Areas : Extension and Economic

Thomas Tope Afolayan ¹ , Adewale Isaac Olutumise ² , Adegboyega Eyitayo Oguntade ³ , Temitope Olanrewaju Bello ⁴ , Lawrence Olusola Oparinde ⁵ , Olanrewaju Peter Oladoyin ⁶

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Received: 2024-11-05 Accepted : 2024-12-20 Published : 2024-12-25

Keywords: Agricultural productivity, conflict resolution, food security, principal component analysis, probit regression, Nigeria,

Abstract :

The study investigates the causes and effects of herdsmen-farmer conflicts in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Primary data were gathered through structured questionnaires, interviews, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). A multistage sampling method randomly selected 210 arable crop farmers and 70 herdsmen. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and probit regression. Findings indicate that the primary perceived causes of conflict among farmers included crop destruction (mean = 3.94), uncontrolled grazing (3.85), indiscriminate bush burning (3.79), and contamination of streams by cattle (3.79). Conversely, herdsmen identified encroachment of grazing routes (3.72), language barriers and cultural differences (3.67), crop destruction (3.65), and inadequate grazing reserves (3.64) as major causes. PCA analysis of the perceived effects on arable crop farmers revealed that the conflicts caused decreased farm output, destruction of crops, unsafe farming environments, displacement, insufficient food supply, and erosion of mutual trust, explaining 46.9% of the variance across 21 components. The probit regression model identified farm size, gender, family size, farming experience, educational level, extension contacts, farm fencing, use of guards, kraal proximity, grazing route location, and farm distance as significant factors influencing the probability of herdsmen incursions into farmland. These findings emphasize the need for targeted conflict resolution strategies and policies to mitigate the adverse effects of herdsmen-farmer conflicts on agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods in the area.

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