Environmental Conflict Between Farmers And Herdsmen And Its Effect On Socio-economic Development In Plateau State

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT

The violent conflicts between sedentary farmers and pastoral herdsmen have become a recurring decimal in Nigeria’s drive to nationhood. It has assumed a grievous dimension in recent time thereby threatening peaceful coexistence. The research examines the environmental underpinnings of the conflict between farmers and herdsmen and its effect on socio-economic development in Plateau State. The research shows that environmental scarcity plays a prominent role in the conflict because it remains the major cause of the violent altercation between farmers and herdsmen. This environmental scarcity is in the form of limited grazing sites, farmland and fresh water. The research employs the Homer Dixon’s eco-violence theory in explaining the variables under study. The theory explains the relationship between environmental factors and violent conflict. The research also adopts the primary source of data collection which is qualitative in character base on the triangulation method. This methodology affords the research the opportunity to generate data from semi-structured interview, focus group discussion and observation of informants and conflict areas. The investigation shows that the nature and causes of the conflict is multifaceted, thereby assuming different dimensions which include; ethnic, religious, economic, political and environmental. The research further shows that the conflict has greatly affected the social and economic lives of the people. Socially, it has led to change in inter-group relations and mutual mistrust between famers and herdsmen. It has also affected the people’s standard of living, while the vulnerable groups which include women and children have suffered severely as a result of the conflict. The study also shows that the conflict have affected economic activities in the form of trading, markets and agricultural production. Livestock production like meat, dairy products, hides and skin and bones have also been affected. The research also shows that the conflicts have led to break down of law and order which culminates in destruction of lives and property and displacement of people which explains the humanitarian effect of the conflict. The research also investigates the various responses by the community, government and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) in finding solutions to the conflict. The research concludes that all stake holders must cooperate to frontally confront the menace of this recurrent farmers and herdsmen debacle in Plateau State by adhering to the recommendations of this study. In this regard, Progress can only be made when the most important stake holders in the conflict (farmers and herdsmen) are willing to sheath their sword, dialogue and make compromise on areas of conflicting interest and goal scarcity.      

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