Perception of arable crop farmers on the causes and effects of farmers-herdsmen conflicts in Ede, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The persistence of conflicts between crop farmers and cattle herders denotes grave socioeconomic consequences and continues to attract attention nationwide. Hence, the study assessed the perception of arable crop farmers towards the causes and effects of farmer-herdsmen conflicts in the study area. Atwo-staged purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select 114 arable crop farmers. Data were collected with the aid of a structured interview schedule and analysed with descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The results show that crop damage and land-related factors are the major causes of farmers-herdsmen conflicts. These conflicts had resulted in the loss of properties, sustenance of injuries, shortage of food, and police cases. A majority (61.4%) of the respondents suggested that specific land areas should be set aside for the grazing of livestock. The correlation analysis revealed that positive and significant relationship exist between age(r = 0.380), farm size (r =0.237) and household size (r = 0.231) at 5% and farmers-herdmen conflicts. In conclusion, arable crop farmers perceive that conflicts exist between farmers and herdsmen which threaten food security and the peaceful coexistence of the local farming communities. Hence, local authorities should establish grazing paddock and form conflict resolution committees among crop farmers and herdsmen to enhance peaceful co-existence.