Farmers/Herdsmen Crisis and Sustainable Food Production in Nigeria

Abstract

In recent times, the most populous black nation in the world, Nigeria has been deeply engulfed by many skirmishes which undermine peace and tranquillity in the country. One such threat is the debilitating Farmers/Herdsmen imbroglio that has led to blood-bathe in several parts of the states with consequential maiming or death of many citizens and destruction of unquantifiable property in the process, especially in Benua State. The security concerns in the country presently have gotten to a point of crescendo that the nation can aptly be described as the satirical 'Animal Farm' as seen in the work of George Orwell. The study utilized secondary data and quantitative content analysis was used to analyze the data. Furthermore, structural functionalism theory was applied to direct the research. Drought and desertification, which are indicators of climate change were observed as the major reasons the pastoralist invade farmlands in arable areas and this led the plethoral of the conflicts. The study recommends amongst others that the government should intensify efforts to deliver nomadic education to Fulani herdsmen and their entire households; that way, they will be enlightened on the values of peace and development; also, the government should demarcate the grazing routes for way from farm settlement to avoid frequent clashes between farmers and herders.