Saudi Journal of Economics and Finance

Abbreviated Key Title: Saudi J Econ Fin

ISSN 2523-9414 (Print) |ISSN 2523-6563 (Online)
Scholars Middle East Publishers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Journal homepage: http://saudijournals.com

Review Article

The Effects of Farmer/Herder Conflict on Socioeconomic Development

of Nigeria 1* 1
Obasanmi, Jude Omokugbo Ph.D , Prof. Enoma Anthony
1
Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma

DOI: 10.36348/sjef.2022.v06i04.001 | Received: 17.12.2021 | Accepted: 23.01.2022 | Published: 06.04.2022

*Corresponding author: Obasanmi, Jude Omokugbo Ph.D
Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma

Abstract
The paper examined the herder and farmer conflict on social economic development of Nigeria. The study presented the
structural theory and the Frustration-Anger-Aggression Hypothesis to provide possible explanations for the crisis. The
causes of farmers/herders clashes in recent times were identified to be a function of several factors not only limited to
climate change resulting in drought and desertification soil degradation; growing population size, global terrorism, crime
(rural banditry and cattle rustling) amongst others. Previous and present government responses to this crisis have been
most disappointing with no clear cut and sustainable policy both by the federal and state government. This crisis has
resulted in displacement of people from their communities, women and girls vulnerability to sexual and economic
predation, huge economic burden on the government leading to loss of revenues, dwindling food supply and rising cost,
increasing division among the Federating states and threat to National Security amongst others. The study recommends
that the crisis should be addressed quickly to avert impeding food crisis, government should strengthen the mechanism
for conflict resolutions, and above all herdsmen should know that the imperatives of a modern economy require that
pastoralism should be laid to rest, while embracing improved modern methods of animal husbandry with improved high
yields and disease resistant species (cattle). When this is done a win-win situation would be achieved for all stakeholders.
Keywords: Crop farmers, food security, herdsmen, ranches, husbandry, security.
Copyright © 2022 The Author(s): This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
License (CC BY-NC 4.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium for non-commercial use provided the original
author and source are credited.

2007). The decline manifest in the contribution of

INTRODUCTION agriculture to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It
It is be probably arguable that resources and contributed 31.2% to 39.2% of total GDP between 1985
the utilization thereof have been the reason for most and 1995 (Fasoru & Omojola 2005). Agricultural
conflict among the farming community, both the crop export of Nigeria declined from 60 percent of GDP in
farmers and the cattle farmer (Adelukurelu & Adisa, the early 1970 to about 28.9 percent in quarter 1 of
2019). However, the dimension and magnitude of this 2020 (NBS, 2020). Historically relations between
conflict has assumed an increasing regularity and the herders and crop farmers have been cordial and
killings have left researchers to wonder how this crisis peaceful. Both lived in a peaceful symbiotic
can be solved. The fundamental issue in this crisis is the relationship. Herders‟ cattle fertilizes the farmers land
lack of government to plan productive activities that in exchange for grazing right (Ingawa & Irabor, 2011).
will guarantee long term investment in the country Recently, these cordial relationships have taking a new
(Enoma 2019). dimension with increase violence throughout the
country. Records show that at least 25 of the 36 states
Nigeria with an estimated population of about in the country including Abuja had serious crisis
187 million people, occupying a land area of 923,773 between the herders and the crop farmers as at 2017
square kilometer needs to plan her agricultural (Nuong, 2005). According to report by the Sun
production in order to optimize the land resource. Of newspaper June 2016, the increase in competition for
this land area, only about 42% of the 82 million arable land has often time led to serious manifestations
hectares of arable land is so far cultivated, both in crops of killings, and social friction among the two groups of
and animal production showing the lack of government people. This has led to greater insecurity in human life
neglect of this sector (Eastwood, Kristen & Liptorm, and food insecurity though statistic currently shows
Citation: Obasanmi, Jude Omokugbo & Enoma Anthony (2022). The Effects of Farmer/Herder Conflict on 118
Socioeconomic Development of Nigeria. Saudi J Econ Fin, 6(4): 118-125.
 Obasanmi, Jude Omokugbo & Enoma Anthony., Saudi J Econ Fin, April, 2022; 6(4): 118-125
these effects. In Darfur region in Sudan the conflict his target, he becomes frustrated. This frustration can
transfrom into a full blow war that claim the lives of then turn into anger and then aggression when
over 200,000 people and render over million homeless. something triggers it. When expectation fails to meet
Over 3000 people were killed and tens of thousands attainment, the tendency is for people to confront others
displaced in Benue and Kaduna state alone between they can hold responsible for frustrating their ambitions
2014 and 2020 alone (Nedozie, 2021). or someone on whom they can take out their
frustrations. Furthermore, when aggression cannot be
The objective of this study is to investigate the expressed against the real source of frustration,
effects of farmer/herder conflict on socioeconomic displaced hostilities can be targeted to substitute objects
development of Nigeria. In an attempt to address this that is, aggression is transferred to alternate objects,
objective, the following questions will be answered. persons or agents.
(a) What are the causes of the conflict?
(b) What are the measures employed by Be that as it may, models exist on conflict
government in tackling this problem? resolutions. However, according to Nneka, Ibekwe and
(c) What are the effects of the conflict on social Nwankwo (2018) the models are still in their infancy. A
economic development of Nigeria? clear cut body of knowledge establishing the methods,
(d) What are the possible remedies? measure to resolve conflict and the variables to consider
are not clearly defined. However, there are some
Theoretical issues formulation, model and thought that could be used to
The structural theory attempts to explain explain conflict resolution. These theories or model are
conflict as a product of the tension that arises when explained below.
groups compete for scarce recourses. The central
argument in this sociological theory is that conflict is The Dual Concern Model (DCM) of conflict
built into the particular ways societies are structured or resolution is based on the perception of individual
organized. It describes the condition of the society and method of dealing with conflict. The framework is
how such condition or environment can create conflict. based on two underlying concerns from the point of
Structural conflict theory identifies such conditions as view of the individual. These are: concern for self
social exclusion, deprivation, class inequalities, (assertiveness) and concern for other (empathy).
injustice, political marginalization, gender imbalances, Accordingly group members balance the concern for
racial segregation, economic exploitation and the likes, themselves and concern for other. The exhibition of
all of which often lead to conflict (Oakland, 2005). these concerns by group of individuals will ultimately
Structuralists maintain that conflict occurs because of lead to effective conflict resolution. The dual concerns
the exploitative and unjust nature of human societies or model identities five conflict resolution strategies that
because of domination of one class by another. The individuals may use to resolve conflict (Langton, James
theory is however deficient in its one-sidedness of and Young, 2019). The strategies are avoidance conflict
looking at causes of conflict. For instance, it does not style, yielding conflict style, competitive conflict style,
see the bright sides of racial or ethnic diversity and the conciliation conflict style and cooperation conflict style.
strength that a society may derive from pluralism. It
only sees the flaws. The structural theory thus makes Another model is the Political conflict
sense only when conflicts are viewed from the broadest resolution model. It usually involves two or more
possible perspective and only if the observer opts to warring parties with conflict value or issue that are not
ignore alternate causes of the conflict. compatible. The nature of this incompatibility could be
territorial or governmental. A warring party could be
However, Frustration-Anger-Aggression government of a state or any opposing party that uses
Hypothesis of conflict posits that it is natural for man to armed force to promote its position. This war will
react to unpleasant situations. The hypothesis is drawn eventually be concluded with a peace agreement by
from the frustration-aggression theory propounded by both parties. There is a formal agreement which
Dollard and Doob, et al. (1939), and further developed addresses the dispute either by settling all or part of it or
by Miller (1948) and Berkowitz (1969) as cited in outlines the process on how to resolve the
Fason and Omogola (2015). The theory says that incompatibility. At time it could be a ceasefire
aggression is the result of blocking or frustrating a agreement (Langton et al., 2019). Political model of
person's efforts to attain a goal. Frustration is described conflict could use peacekeeping measure to resolve
as the feeling we get when we do not get what we want, aspect of the incompatibilities. Over the last century
or when something interferes with our gaining a desired political theorists have developed a theory of global
goal (as shown in the case of Niger Delta, IPOB and peace system that relies upon social and political
MASOP agitations). Anger implies feeling made in measures to avoid war in the interest of achieving world
response to frustration or injury; while aggression refers peace.
to flashes of temper (Tucker-Lad, 2013). The frustration
aggression theory states that aggression is caused by The Education Conflict Model believes in
frustration. When someone is prevented from reaching resolving conflict through counseling. It usually involve
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 Obasanmi, Jude Omokugbo & Enoma Anthony., Saudi J Econ Fin, April, 2022; 6(4): 118-125
training individual to resolve conflict in any department with increasing farming activities beyond the
of life. Given that both word and verbal action can traditional allocated land especially in the
insult, injure and/or exalt. Better communication Agricultural Development Project (ADP) for crop
process is emphasised in education management. The farmers, the dwindling land resource has led to
major point in education conflict resolution is clashes between herders and crop farmers. Since
communication and guidance towards conflict herders lost access to abundant wetland, the cattle
resolution. It equally involves a non-directive find their way into farms (Mike
counseling or listening with understanding. It entails Sland/International Crisis Group 2021)
clarity and focusing on problems. iii Breakdown of Traditional Conflict Resolution
Mechanism: This has been adjudged as one of the
Causes of Herdsmen/Farmers Conflict in Nigeria major causes of these clashes among herders and
A lot of factors have been identified in the crop farmers (Robert & Gator 2016). Over the last
literature as causes of farmers/herdsmen clashes three decades, young men or boys, aged between
amongst them, though not exhaustive, are: ten to twenty-five years have been in charge of the
i) Effects of Climatic Changes: Nigeria over the year cattle. They are not civil and mature to resolve
has witnessed changes in climatic condition which dispute amicably. The federal and state
has resulted in the long dry season and low governments on their part have not done much to
rainfall. In 2015, the National Meteorological ensure the protection of both herders and crop
Agency reported that over the preceding 30 years farmers (International Conflict Group 2010). The
annual rainfall has dropped from an average of outright legislation to ban cattle grazing in most
150 to 120 days of rain fall season and that in the state has spark up crisis and intensified the killings
last six decades over 350,000 sq km of the already in most state (Sun Newspaper, 2020).
arid region turned to desert and semi-desert iv. Global Terrorism: According to the vice chairman
conditions, an occurrence of this, progresses south of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association
world at the rate of 0.6 km per years (Federal (MACBAN) 2017 claimed that their members had
Ministry of Environment National Policy on lost over one million cattle to Boko Haram
Desertification and Drought 2018). According to insurgency in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and so
the National Policy, states such a Bauchi, Bormo, other states in the north. The insurgence of Boko
Gombe, Jigama, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Haram had led to the mass migration of cattle
Yobe and Zamfara had been estimated to have from their original home to most parts of southern
about 50 – 70 percent of the their land area is Nigeria. It was equally reported by MACBAN
being threatened by desertification thus pushing (2017) that as a result of the attack on their
millions of the herders to seek grazing land in members, they have been equipped with weapons
other communities. Migration of herders initially to protect the survival of the cattle and their
was seasonal spanning from December each year business. It has been reported that the increasable
to May in the middle belt and some parts of the prevalence of weapons has amplified the human
southern state. As a result, the herders have cost of killing in most parts of the country
changed this practice of staying between (Adejumobi, 2019).
December to May to staying permanently and this vi Crime (Rural Banditry and Cattle Rustling): It has
has resulted to increasing conflict in the country been reported by some researchers that rural
among crop farmers and herdsmen over the use of banditry and cattle rustling are some of the causes
land and water (Adisa 2010 & Nte, 2019). of herders migrating to the southern part of
ii. Population Growth: This has mounted pressure on Nigeria (Eyekpini, 2016). By the 1980‟s bandit
the land resource for crop framer and grazing by groups locally known as “kwarta” attacked traders
herdsmen. For example the growth in the size of and other travelers along major highways and
population from 33 million in 1950 to 200 million recently this group have proliferated in major rural
in 2020 has intensified this crisis. About 47.7 area in the north raiding villages, market and
percent of the former rural areas turned to urban engage in cattle rustling in these communities.
area with serious consequence for grazing and Over the last decade, cattle rustling have grown in
crop farming (World Statistics, 2021). Population large scale operations and organizations in several
size couple with reduced grazing land has northern states where large group of bandits
exacerbated this crisis. Most of the 415 grazing operate with absolute freedom without law
reserves established by the northern government enforcement agencies putting a stop to their
in 1960 have since been lost. Only 114 is said to operations. Cattle rustling operate in Kawuka
be documented (ADP Report 2021). Resulting forest in Kaduna, Dansadua forest in Zamfara,
from this limited grazing space most herders have Falgore forest in Kano and Davin Rugu forest in
moved south in order to increases their access to Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara states. It equally
grazing land. This has serious consequence operates in some parts of Kogi, Benue, Plateau
because their action conflicts with that of the crop and Nasarawa (Adejumobi, 2019). It is reported
farmers. With growing population per land and that cattle theft has been a major source of funding
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 Obasanmi, Jude Omokugbo & Enoma Anthony., Saudi J Econ Fin, April, 2022; 6(4): 118-125
for Boko Haram activities. This led to the grazing reserve. The report of the committee called for
government ban of cattle import to Borno state to the recovery and improvement of all grazing routes
check Boko Haram funding. The scale of banditry encroached upon by farmers and recommended that the
operations has been intense with an estimate of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) release a sum of N100
more than 64,750 cattle stolen in 2019 with the billion to the country for ranch construction. The
number rising in subsequent years (Egwu, 2019). recommendation did not see the light of day because the
vii Technology and Economic Changes: Another then government of Goodluck Jonathan was defeated in
major factor cursing the conflict between herder the 2015 election (Morger, 2017). It was again reported
and crop farmers is lack of technological that CBN released 100 billion naira to state
innovation in farming practices by both herders governments but not utilized for the purpose it was
and crop farmers (Uche, 2016). In a study carried might to serve.
by Addisa and Adekunle (2010), they identified
poverty and lack of production techniques as By 2016, the government of Buhari
factors responsible for crop farmers/herders administration through the advice of Federal Ministry
conflict. Latest cattle farming techniques like of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) was
Ranches and Agroponetnic techniques for crop told to set a short, medium and long term strategies
farming are not feasible to both farmers because which will encourage the development of grazing areas
of the heavy initial cost. Therefore, farmers still in all the states in the country. Most states in the central
use obsolete method of production (pastorialism) and southern areas rejected this plan. In March 2016 the
which is charaterised by low production and low same year, the FMARD announced the proposal to
return on output per man (Fagan, 1999). import grass from Brazil on the grazing reserve in order
viii Dysfunctional Legal System: Ineffective to increase the consumption of grass by cattle and boost
prosecution of perpetrators of violence and weak their output. This pronouncement again failed because
legal system has been a major factor of the it was strongly opposed by public opinion. Following
increasing cause of this conflict (Stieglitz, 2016). recent crisis in Benue the federal government had again
Federal security and law enforcement agencies proposed the development of cattle colonies in the
have not established any rapid response various states of Nigeria. This proposal is yet to take
mechanism to curb the occurrence of killings in effect.
most parts of the country, couple with the fact that
state legislation on this issue appear to be one Apart from the executive arm of the federal
side. (Crisis Group Report 2016). Most state in the government response to this crisis, the federal
south and middle belt of the country have legislators equally sponsored a bill to create, National
legislated outright ban of cattle rearing in their Grazing Reserve Commission (NGRC) in 2011. The
states. This decision has been opposed by the Bill did not pass the second reading and eventually was
MACBAN as a threat to their business. thrown out in 2015. From 2015 to 2016 three new Bills
ix. Lack of Planning Model to Accommodate were introduced on creating grazing reserves, livestock
Farmers/Herdsmen Production: From routes and ranches across the country. This bill again
preoccupation on accelerated growth of the did not succeed based on the fact that Land Use Act
economy or Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the was exclusively state affair.
objective of every country development effort has
been broadened to include improvement in Some state governments on their part have
welfare, access to basic need such as shelter, food, established herder/farmer conflict resolution committee
clothing, education and health. These goals can and some made laws to regulate the activities of herders
only be achieved when there is appropriate in their state. For example Gombe state government set
planning of production by policy makers or up Farmers and Herdsmen Resolution Committee. Ekiti
government (Abugre, 2011, Sawin, 2013). passed a grazing bill prohibiting grazing or movement
Classical economist oppose to planning because of cattle at night and stipulate that any herder found
they rely on the invisible hands to regulate market with weapon would be charged with terrorism and this
activities. With the successes in the growth and law was to be enforced by Ekiti Grazing Enforcement
long term investment plan in China attention has Marshals (EGEM). Benue state in 2016 and Taraba
now shifted from less government regulation of state in 2017 equally passed a bill banning open grazing
economic activities to state intervention in and rearing of animals and for herders to carry firearms.
production. In Edo state, there was a proposed bill to create free
grazing area and watering facilities for herders to feed
Measures Employed by Successive Governments in their cattle. The herders were expected to pay for this
tackling the menace In Nigeria service. This failed as it could not pass through the
The government of Nigeria over the years has public hearing convoked by the Edo State House of
employed various strategies in tackling this crisis of Assembly in 2018.
farmers/herders problem. In 2014, government
inaugurated an inter-ministerial technical committee on
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 Obasanmi, Jude Omokugbo & Enoma Anthony., Saudi J Econ Fin, April, 2022; 6(4): 118-125
The United Nation Food and Agricultural of them engage in prostitution and other social
Organization (UNFAO) in 2017 formulated a ten year crimes.
National Ranch Development Plan and suggested how iv. Huge Economic Burden on the Government: The
to implement the plan to the federal and state effect of the conflict on government has been
government. The plan entails developing grazing huge. In 2015, the Federal Government of Nigeria
reserves in the northern states. Well it is too early to (FGN) lost about 13.7 billion dollars in revenue
draw conclusion on this plan. annually because of the herders / farmers conflict
in Benue, Kaduna, Nassarawa, Taraba and Plateau
Effects of the Conflict on Socio Economic states. On the average these states lost 47 percent
Development of Nigeria of their Internally Generated Revenues (IGRs).
Though not enough data are available for Benue particular lost about 95 billion naira
empirical analysis of the effect or impact of the conflict between 2012 & 2014 (Sun Newspaper 2016).
on social economic development of Nigeria, however The cost of this conflict is still rising in the current
there are relevant discussions and some isolated facts period. The level of poverty in the affected area
provided in literature to show the effects of the conflict has been on the rise. The budget on this crisis in
on the social economic development of Nigeria. all the states have been on the increase (Crisis
Summary of the literature and more importantly Group, 2017). Apart from the rise in budget,
flowing from the causes earlier presented suggest the communities have lost over 65 billion naira in
effect of the conflict as follows: properties due to farmer/herder clashes (Sun
i. Displacement of People from their Communities: Newspaper, 2016).
The conflict exacted heavy humanitarian crisis on v. Reduced Level of Productive Activities:
people in their various communities. It is Farmer/herder clashes have led to lost in
estimated that about 2,500 persons were killed in production by both the farmers and the herders. It
the country by 2016 and this figure is higher than is reported that the loss of cattle and crops as well
that killed by Boko Haram. According to the as increase in transportation cost in post conflict
Humanitarian Needs Assessment Organization area have increased poverty and food insecurity.
(2016), 2,069 people died in herder-related (Crisis Group, 2016). No reliable statistics have
violence in Benue and Kaduna States. From 2015 been able to show the loss in production as a result
to 2019 at least 189,862 people were displaced in herder/farmer clashes but it would imply that in
Kaduna, Benue, Bornu, Taraba and Plateau states. crisis zone farmers and herders will not produce
Most of these people were forced to find shelter in their crops and cattle in those zones.
other poor rural communities or in the vi. Dwindling food supply and rising cost. States,
overcrowded Internally Displaced Camps (IDP) traditionally known for farming and abundance
(Daily Times 2020). food supply, now struggle to meet population
ii. Psychological Trauma of victims and potential demand within their zones and across the country.
victims: Arising from a survey conducted on some In, Benue, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Kogi, Enugu,
selected IDPs in Nigeria by Josémaria Escriva Ebonyi, Ekiti and Taraba states, many now find it
Foundation (2018), a major finding from their difficult to procure foodstuffs from local markets,
survey was that some victims who survived either due to low earnings and exorbitant prices or
the Boko Haram invasion or the herdsmen attacks inadequate distribution within the country. In the
were still finding it very difficult to contend with last one year, according to media reports, many
current realities. Surprisingly, a 10 year old victim farm workers are leaving their farm and it has
has continued to have night mares arising from great implication for food supplies. It is becoming
this. The challenge and the unfortunate situation is almost impossible to rear animals, plant seeds or
that most of these IDP camps do not have the harvest crops as observed by a crop farmer in
wherewithal to effectively handle such traumas Benue.
currently being experienced. The exist only one vii. Religious Crisis and Mistrust among the Two
certified trauma treatment centre in Nigeria and it Major Religion (Muslim and Christianity): Some
is domiciled in Abuja. The long run impact will be individuals believe that the attack by Fulani‟s
that the people will grow up with a loss of their herdsmen is an attempt to islamize the people in
personal, emotional, psychological and socio- the country. These people view the attacks as part
cultural identities. of a long term Fulani plot to displace indigenous
iii. Women and Girls Vulnerability to Sexual and people and take over their lands. So among
Economic Predation: The effect of this conflict Christian communities herder attacks are another
fell heavily on women and girls. It is recorded that form of Jihad (Uche, 2016).Though this assertion
relative of men killed in the violence often evict is not supported by empirical evident but there are
widows from their husband farm land. After the aggravating inter-faith mistrust and undermine the
conflict women economic and social conditions unity of the country. A glance at the new media
render them more vulnerable to sexual and highly shows this division of the north and the
economic exploitation (Crisis Group 2017). Some south. There are a lot of provocative statements
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 Obasanmi, Jude Omokugbo & Enoma Anthony., Saudi J Econ Fin, April, 2022; 6(4): 118-125
either made by a Christian or a Muslim over this i. To avert food crisis, government at all levels
issue (Ilo, 2016). should ensure peace between the herdsmen and
viii. Emergence of Anti-Fulani Sentiments: It has been farmers. Other ways of feeding cows has to be
observed that the violent disposition of the Fulani devised. There should be ranches. Statistics have
herdsmen have given rise to anti-Fulani sentiment shown that in Nigeria, only 141 grazing reserves
in some parts of the country and has also were gazetted with less than 20 equipped with
continued to instil hatred against them (Idowu, resources for pastoralists. Other agriculture
2017). Some persons have cited a Fulani experts believe that if the proposed National
expansionist agenda as being behind these attacks. Grazing Route and Reserve Commission is
A Twitter hashtag to that effect, #MAFO established to engender acquisition and
(Movement against Fulani Occupation) has been management of lands across Nigeria‟s 36 states to
launched and there have been allegations of provide pastures for cattle, farmers will be able to
possible government collusion in this perceived produce what the country can eat and export.
expansionist agenda (Nwosu, 2017). In Ebonyi, ii. Strengthen the mechanism for conflict resolution
the conflict was found to have led to loss of in the state to regulate and prosecute offenders
peaceful co-existence, breakdown of established violating the law set up in the state to regulate
friendship, perpetual fear of attack and loss of farmer/herders interaction.
family means of livelihood (Umeh & Chukwu, iii. The drought and desertification must be addressed
2016). by the federal government and there is need to
ix. Increasing Division among the Federating States invest on projects that will stop the desertification.
and threat to National Security: As the crisis Though this might be a long term project however
increase in intensity and in geographical scope, there should be indication to start the project.
the division among the federating states had iv. Economic growth and development is not a fire
intensified. Federal government controls the brigade approach but a systematic process of
police and military as a result, many states now planning production. To this end, both crop
advocate the need for state policing in order to farming and cattle farming should be planned and
control this crisis (MASSOB 2020). This division both farmers registered by government. There
coupled with the fact that federal security and law should be soil mapping and gradual development
enforcement agencies have never issued early- from open grazing to ranches in the country.
warning or responded appropriately to the attacks v. The imperatives of a modern economy require that
has made some states government to have less pastoralism should be laid to rest. The Fulani
faith in the federal security aparatus. This division herdsmen can no longer survive at the mercy of
is further aggravated by each states or groups in the farmer in a time when the subsistent farmer is
the state forming vigilante self-defence group and struggling for enough arable land. There is no
some of these groups have threatened a reprisal more land to designate as grazing reserves or
attack on the herders. Particularly, the Tiv and cattle colonies. The legal framework of land
Ekiti hunters. They warned that, if federal ownership does not allow for forceful seizure of
government cannot stop the killing, they would land for cattle rearing or any other private
demonstrate that they can equally defend commercial enterprise, even in the guise of public
themselves and that they have the capacity to raise purpose. In the language of business strategy,
a standing army to do so. cattle rearing in the pastoral form have been
x. Arms proliferation and emergence of armed disrupted by new economic realities. The wise
militia. Another germane consequence of this thing to do is to adapt the business to the flow and
trend is arms proliferation. So far as some logic of the disruptive influence. The cattle
individuals have openly called and advocated for owners should retool their business proposition.
self defence shows that more unregistered arms This is a strategic challenge.
will be made available. Recall in November 2017, vi. Herdsmen and farmers should be properly
a 30 tonnes caravan was intercepted at the Apapa educated or re-oriented on the sanctity of human
Port. What happened to the exporter and import is lives, and taught how to use better channels of
yet unknown. Also, the emergence of armed communication to convey their grievances than
militia in whatever form or guise will have resorting to conflict. Any form of aggression as a
unprecedented destabilizing effects on national result of past issue(s) should be discouraged and
security. This is why the call for self-defence must anyone found wanting in that respect be
be treated with all seriousness. prosecuted. The implication of the foregoing is
that appropriate authorities need to methodically
The Way Forward investigate recent increase in the reprehensible
In order to mitigate the effects of activities of herdsmen.
herders/farmer conflict on socioeconomic development vii. It is vital to emphasise that military or police
of the country, the way forward may include: action alone might not suffice in thoroughly
getting rid of the herdsmen‟s challenge as it is
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 Obasanmi, Jude Omokugbo & Enoma Anthony., Saudi J Econ Fin, April, 2022; 6(4): 118-125
with other such thorny security issues in the  Adelukurelu, G. I., & Adisa, R. S. (2019). Land
country. Sufficient intelligence must be gathered Use Conflict between Farmers and Herdsmen –
to really understand their motives, sponsors (if Implications for Agricultural and Rural
any) and grouses. It has been argued that the Development in Nigeria, Rural Development -
herdsmen‟s „insurgence‟ is being spearheaded by Contemporary Issues and Practices.
rascals from neighbouring countries. This claim http://www.intechopen.com/books/rural-
must be properly verified and appropriate action development-contemporary-issues-and-
taken if it is found to be real. practices/land-use-conflictbetween-famers-and-
herdsmen-implications-for-agricultural-and-rural-
Unfortunately, each of these solutions is zero- development-in. Accessed 18 June 201.
sums. If we establish cattle colonies, the community  Adisa, S.R., & Adebunle, O.A. (2021). Farmer–
advocate loses. If we mandate private ranches the Herdsmen conflict: A factor analysis of socio-
Fulani advocates loses. But more than being zero sum economic conflict variable among arable crops
propositions; the binary interpretation of the bloody farmer in North Central Nigeria. J Idwn Ecot. 30(1)
conflict misses out on the most important feature of the KanlanRaj
conflict. The main argument against ranching as a  Agriculture Development Report. (2021). Annual
solution is that it is inimical to the lifestyle of the Fulani Report. ADP Publication Quarterly.
and unsuited for their specie of cattle. The Fulani is a  Amadi, D. (2017). How herdsmen attacks on
pastoralist. Pastoralism is a form of feudalism with its farmers threaten Nigeria’s food security. Extracted
resort to violence and conquest. A pastoral lifestyle is from http://punchng.com/killing-fields-how-
unsuitable in a period defined by property rights herdsmen-attacks-on-farmers-threaten-nigerias-
unhinged from the landlord and vassal relationship. The food-security/Killing fields on August 6, 2018
legal and constitutional order of modern democratic  Amadi, S. (2018). Herdsmen Conflict: Neo-
state in Nigeria is incompatible with a pastoral Feudalism and Its Problems. Extracted from
economics. The geography of existence has changed. https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/01/22
There is no adequate swathe of grasslands to be /herdsmen-conflict-neo-feudalism-and-its-
reserved for the migratory life of the herdsmen. In the problems/, 25 June 2018.
past, there was little confrontation between herders and  Cable News Network. (2020). Herders – farmers
farmers because land was abundant and colonial conflict in Benue state.
authorities could designate free land as grazing reserves
 Enoma, A.D. (2015). Agricultural Credit and
and grazing routes. Contacts between herders and
Economic Growth in Nigeria: An Empirical
farmers were too brief and uncompetitive. This Analysis. Business and Economic Journal, 2(14)
sustained the fabled hospitality between them.
 Fason, M., & Omogola, R. (2015). Farmer-
Pastoralist conflict in core-state of Nigeria.
CONCLUSION National Fadama Project Abuja FACU, 11-22.
This paper has examined the effects of the
 Federal Ministry of Environment National Policy
herder and farmer conflict on social economic
on Desertification and Drought. (2015).
development of Nigeria. The study identified the causes
of farmers/herders clashes as climate change resulting  Humanitarian Needs Assessment Organization.
in drought and desertification soil degradation, growing (2017). Nigerian Farmer-Fulani Herder violence in
population size among others were recognized as the Benue, Kaduna and Plateau states ACAPS(S)
reason for this conflict. Government responses to this  Idowu, A.O. (2017). Urban violence dimension in
crisis have been most disappointing with no clear cut Nigeria: Farmers and herders onslaught.
policy on it (both by the federal and state governments). AGATHOS International Review, 8(14), 187-206.
This crisis will continue to have a negative impact on  Internaional Labour Organisation. (2015).
the economy and if not properly managed might Emerging employments challenges in Africa
degenerate to a full blown war arising from various  International Conflict Group. (2015). A look at
comments from stakeholders. In order to avoid this Nigeria‟s security situation. Occasional paper 001
amongst others, it is proper for all states in the  IPCR-UNDP. (2012). Project report on conflict
federation to come together and have a common policy mapping into incessant crises between the Tiv
on land use in their states. Most importantly, the farmers and the Fulani herdsmen in Guma and
herdsmen should embrace modern day style of animal Makurdi Local Government Areas of Benue State,
husbandry and also work with government research Nigeria and multi-stakeholders dialogue. Women
institutions to produce cattle species that can withstand Environmental Programme (WEP) Publication, 1-
current situations. 72.
 Langton, E., James, B., & Young, R. (2019).
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