Livelihood issues in herdsmen-farmers conflict among farming communities in Kogi State, Nigeria

Conflicts between crop farmers and herders are common in nearly every part of Nigeria. It is a formidable challenge to economic development, threat to food security and sustainable livelihood of the agrarian communities. The study assessed the causes and effects of herdsmen-farmers’ conflicts on livelihood of agrarian communities in Kogi State. A total of 135 randomly selected crop farmers was used. Data were collected by use of structured interview and focus group discussion, and analysed using descriptive statistics and factor analysis. The results showed that crop farmers were predominantly male (85.2%), married (85.9%) and with mean age of 51 years. They were small scale farmers with average farm size of 2.9 ha and were engaged in the production of yam (97.8%), cassava (92.6%), maize (92.6%) and other arable crops, mainly for income and household food supply. The farmers indicated that violation of laws/tradition, livelihood interference and cultural factors were the major causes of conflict between crop farmers and herdsmen. Consequently, the socio-economic life, production outcome and settlement of crop farmers are affected, cumulating to breakdown in livelihood assets of farmers. The study recommends that there should be strategic and regular orientation of resource users on the need for co-existence and adherence to regulations regarding use of resources. Multi-stakeholders’ efforts exploring grass root participation should be promoted by government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in policies and strategies for management of conflict. Farmers should be assisted with productive resources and training by extension services to reduce vulnerability and protracted conflict in the farming communities.   Key words: Conflict, crop farmers, herders, livelihood, production, natural resource.