CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF FARMERS-HERDSMEN CONFLICTS ON MAIZE PRODUCTION IN JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed causes and effects of farmers-herdsmen conflicts on maize production in Jigawa State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 180 maize farmers and herdsmen that were proportionately drawn from three (3) zones of the study area. Data were collected through the use of well-structured questionnaire and focused group discussion, data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result show that pooled percent 36.7% of respondents fell within the age bracket of 41-50 years. Majority pooled (96.7%) were males and 85.0% of them were married. The result revealed that pooled 36.7% the respondent had household size between 7-9 persons. Majority pooled (61.1%) of the respondent had non-formal education, while, a considerable number pooled (42.2%) of the respondents had farming/grazing experience. The results further revealed that major causes of farmers-herdsmen conflict were crops damage by cattle ( ), encroachment into cattle tracks , lack of access to water points , pollution of water points , indiscriminate bush burning , climate change , desertification  and corruption . The results also shows that the major effects of conflicts on maize production were loss of maize crop 81.1%, reduction in crop yield 76.7%, displacement of farmers 94.4%, increased tension within the farming communities 90.0%, increased cost of production 100%, loss of farm inputs 76.7% and food insecurity 100%. The result further revealed the major institution involved in managing conflicts in which the effective ones were police , State government , Traditional rulers , Miyetti Allah cattle breeders association  and community leaders . The study concluded that crop damage by cattle, encroachment into cattle tracks, lack of access to water points, pollution of water points and indiscriminate bush burning, cattle rustling, climate change, desertification and corruption were the major causes of conflict in the study area. The study therefore, recommended Government at all levels should explore better involvement of indigenous resource user groups in policies relating to natural resource management and utilization, Governments and communities should jointly cooperate to improve the security situation around the villages with a view to tackling the menace of cattle rustling.