Oyibode, G. C. E., Ph.D.

Jacho, D. S., Ph.D. | Erunke, C. E., Ph.D.

Abstract

The core objective of this study is to examine the nexus between farmers-herders conflicts and the extent to which the crisis has impinged on adequate food crops production, as well as agricultural development as it relates to food security in Nigeria's north-central zone. The challenges of insecurity orchestrated by the eruption of conflicts between cattle nomads and rural peasants, to say the least, been increasingly devastating. The issue of transhumant and crop famers conflicts spirals across several states and communities ranging from Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi, Benue and Plateau states. The carnage caused by the conflict has continued to raise several concerns due to the dangerous impacts it has brought to bear on the socio-economic and development fabric of the affected communities. Conversely, there now exists not only the quagmire of escalation of food prices, but essentially, there are high risks of human insecurity, destitution, homelessness, inflation, poor agricultural crop production, and increasing death tolls arising from banditry. This paper is a theoretical exploration of existing works of experts in the broader field of conflict studies. The work relies on secondary methods for data collection. Findings reveal that due to the rising cases of conflicts in some of the affected states and peasant communities, there may be a prolonged food crisis, increased inflation, bloodbaths and homelessness over a long time. The paper therefore suggests that arresting this challenge requires adopting both horizontal and vertical conflict resolution mechanisms, including the role of government and other stakeholders in the region to stem the tides of conflicts. These holistic measures, it is hoped, can trigger the anticipated development required to bring succour and sustenance to food crop production in the affected states.

   

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Published: 2025

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