Abstract
Farmers/herders conflict is not new in Nigeria. The need to put more emphasis on Central Nigeria particularly Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa States was born out of the persistent conflicts arising from and complicated by farmer-herder vested interest. Currently, the subject matter is under-exploited and under-researched. Existing extant studies in that regard tend to have focused on farmer-herder conflicts without comprehensively emphasizing the philosophy and ideology operating by the two parties in fueling the conflicts. The study adopts community case study approach. Three states were purposefully selected, namely Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa, these states were highly affected by the conflict in recent years. Two local governments were randomly selected from each state. individuals were selected for Key Informant Interview (KII), FGD and Study Chart from All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAiencN), Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Community Security Architecture Dialogue (CSAD). Participation was voluntary, therefore, those who were readily available were used. 30 KII, 17 FGDs and 10 SCs were carried out across the targeted communities. Findings show that issues and perceptions of farmers/herders’ conflict in Central Nigeria includes: divergent of perception in the process of survival; land grabbing and unending tension; water scarcity and insufficient pasturelands; underage and children herding and profiling/stereotyping. This calls for an urgent need for government at all levels including Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to create effective awareness, promote peace building and other measures to curtail the existing conflict.
Highlights
In The central Nigeria has experienced escalating tension between primarily farmers and herders, these groups seek access to the region‟s fertile land for crops and cattle grazing
One of the major causes of conflict among farmers/herders in central Nigeria is the issue of conflicting ideas that hinges on economics
During the monthly meeting on Peace Architecture Dialogue (PAD) most respondents say that there is an internal collaboration between the young farmers and herders which is more of cattle theft syndicate in the study area
Summary
In The central Nigeria has experienced escalating tension between primarily farmers and herders, these groups seek access to the region‟s fertile land for crops and cattle grazing. When cattle destroy the crops of all subsistence farmers, it is a direct loss to the farmers‟ livelihood, and this may exacerbate pre-existing tensions between ethnic-groups of the farmers and herders are of different ethnicities, sparking broader conflict and violence. Similar examples play out for herder when cattle are attacked and killed, often in retaliation to destruction of farmland. This situation put the survival of both the herders and farmers in abeyance and they are desperately seeking for survival strategies. This study examines some of the issues confronting the two land users and seeks their perspectives regarding the issues
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
