¹Godwin Kwanga, ²Joseph Enefu, ³James Ikyernum,⁴ Patricia, I. Ali,⁵ Onyeche Anita Makyur

¹,²,³,⁴Department of Geography, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria

⁵Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Federal University, Wukari-Taraba State

Conflicts between crop farmers and pastoralists have become a common feature of economic livelihood in West Africa. The study assessed the demographic implications of crop farmers-pastoralists conflict in Benue North-West, Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design and a sample of 120 respondents was purposively selected from the three LGAs mostly affected by the pastoralists’ attacks. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, key informant interview and field observations and analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages and mean). The study in its course found that availability of evergreen arable land (3,27), competition over available evergreen arable lands (3.0), damage to crops (3.12) and the proliferation and availability of cheap small arms and light weapons (2.52) are the major causes of conflict in the area. The study also revealed that the conflict has both short and long term demographic implication on the affected communities. The study recommended sustainable measures towards addressing conflict in the affected communities.

Demographic implication, Pastoralists, Crop Farmers, Conflict

1) Abbas, I.M. (2019). “No Retreat, no surrender: Conflict for survival between Fulani Pastoralists and farmers in Northern Nigeria”. European Journal Science, 8(1):331-346.

2) Akpaki, A. Z (2002). Conflict management and Resolution. Benin; Dietric publishers

3) Ayih, S.O (2013).Nasarawa State: Past and present. Abuja, Nigeria. Umbrella Books.

4) Azuonwu, G. (2002). Understanding group dynamics: Effective tool for conflict resolution in Nigeria. Ibadan: Evi Coleman Publication.

5) Blench, R. (2017).The transformation of conflict between pastoralists and cultivators in Nigeria. Paper in press for a special issue of the Journal Africa.ed.M.Montz. Retrieved From http://www.rogerblench.infor/Development/Nigeria Livestock survey.pdf on December 19, 2017.

6) Dzurgba, A. (2006). Prevention and Management of Conflict in Honour of Prof.Segun Odunuga. Ibadan: Loud Books Publishers.

7) Genyi, U. (2002). Land use patterns and conflicts between the pastoralists and crop farmers. Case of Mezam division, North-West Region, Cameroon. Monograph University of Dschang-Cameroon. pp. 15-25.

8) Ibeh, B. I. (2014). Causes, effects and resolution of farmers-nomadic cattle herders conflict in Delta State, Nigeria. International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology.. 1(2): 47-54.

9) Kaplan, J. C. (1974). The Sahelian Drought and its Demographic Implications. (OCL papers, No. 8), Overseas Liaison Committee, American Council on Education, Washingston D. C.

10) Lyam, A.A. (2006). Kwande Crisis:A Community Conflict of many Interests. Makurdi: Selfers Books.

11) Musa, S. D. Shabu T. Igbawua M. I. (2014). Resource use conflict between farmers and Fulani herdsmen in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria International Journal of basic and applied research.

12) Mustapha, A.L, Abdujjahi, A And Bilkisu, L.G (2019). Effects of insurgency on socio economic and political development of Yobe State, Njgeria. Kashere Journal of Management Sciences 2(1) 1-10

13) Okoli, A.C, Atelh, G.A. (2014). Nomads against natives: A Political ecology of herder/farmer conflicts in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Am.Int. J. Contemp. Res. 4(2):76-88.

14) Olaniyan, A.U. (2015). Causes, effect and resolution of farmers. Nomadic cattle herders conflict in Delta state, Nigeria. International Journal Sociology and Anthropology 1(2):47-54

15) Olaleye, R.S. (2010). Perceived effectiveness of conflict resolution methods for improved Farmer-Pastoralist relationship in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State- Nigeria. The Nigerian Journal of Rural Extension and Development, 3:54-58.

16) Okinmadewa, D. (2002). Cultural violence. Journal of Peace Research 3 (3)

17) Tonah, S. (2016). Farmer –Herder Conflict in Volta region of Ghana. Journal social sci. 2:6-10

18) Tyohemba, K. (2014). “Food Scarcity Looms over Herdsmen, Farmers Clashes”, New Telegraph, Friday, May 30, P. 34. www.Texas Food.

19) Ukamaka, D.M., Danjuma, S. E., Mbolle, J. E and Mbadiwe I. E. (2017). Livelihood issues in herdsmen-farmers’ conflict among farming communities in Kogi State, Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 12(24)

VOLUME 04 ISSUE 07 JULY 2021