New Dimensions to Pastoralists-Famers Conflicts and Sustainable Agricultural Development in the Niger-Delta: Agadama-Uwheru Community, Delta State in Perspective

Abstract

The Niger Delta in Nigeria is known for conflicts linked with control of oil related natural resources, and militancy but not with the pastoralists-farmers conflicts which has recently surfaced in this region. Agadama is a coastal agrarian community in Uhweru clan, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Pastoralists are usually associated with their traditional arid environments but their recent presence in southern humid environments brought new dimensions to the age-long conflicts with their farming neighbours. The pastoralists-farmers conflicts have a long history in Nigeria as it is often linked to competition for natural resources like pasture and water. This is an ethnographic study which employed qualitative methods of data collection such as participant observation, in-depth and key informant interviews anchored on Victor Turner’s theory of social drama and Symbolic Interactionism as explanatory framework. Data analysis was done using ‘thick description’ of observed phenomenon ensuring objectives of the study were met. Study revealed that the recent invasion by pastoralists into the oil-rich Niger-Delta region of Nigeria has altered the once peaceful milieu of the agrarian community; thereby leading to a gradual collapse of Agadama subsistence base and impeding gradual growth of sustainable agricultural development in the community. New dimensions to the pastoralists-farmers conflicts in the Niger-Delta is the rape of female farmers and shooting on sighting anyone found spraying chemicals on grasses/weeds as they serves as pastures for cattle. It concludes that government intervention is often reactionary by sending police/military but recommends presumed more lasting solutions.