Published
January 10, 2025
Keywords
- Conflict,
- Farmer-Herder,
- Food, Insecurity,
- North-central
How to Cite
Haaga, P., Sule, P., Idachaba, P., & Bisong, B. (2025). Farmer-Herder Conflicts and Food Security in North-central Nigeria. Advances in Law, Pedagogy, and Multidisciplinary Humanities, 3(1), 1-17. Retrieved from https://jurnal.fs.umi.ac.id/index.php/alpamet/article/view/847
Abstract
This study is aimed at exploring the nexus between farmer-herder conflicts and food security in North-central Nigeria. Of all the major drivers of food insecurity in the world, conflict ranks topmost. In the last decade, farmer-herder conflicts have become one of the defining conflicts in Nigeria with North-Central Nigeria as its hotbed. As a region with about the most significant agricultural prospect in the country, it becomes imperative to study the nexus between the conflict it is engulfed in and the agricultural prospects the region has. the objectives of the study included to: analyse the existing reality of food (in)security in North Central Nigeria; highlight the trajectory of food (in)security in North Central Nigeria over the last two decades and into the coming decade; establish the nexus between the farmer-herder conflicts and food insecurity in North Central Nigeria and determine how this affects the food and livestock value chains; and develop a framework for conflict mitigation and food security for the future. The area of the study covers Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa and Niger states in North-central Nigeria. The study adopted a mixed methodology (quantitative and qualitative) approaches for the purpose of triangulation. While a thematic approach and analysis of storylines would be used for the qualitative part of the study, an ex post facto research design would be adopted for the quantitative aspect. The findings showed that there is a logical and necessary connection between the conflicts and food insecurity in the area of study. In fact, the more the crises, the greater the chances of food insecurity. The study made recommendations for mitigation of crises to forestall further deepening of food insecurity in the area of study and Nigeria, in general.
References
Adama, J. A., Atelhe, G. A. & Emmanuel, S. (2017). Herdsmen-farmers Conflict and food security in Nigeria: A commentary. Available at www.infoguide.com. Accessed January 20, 2018
Adebayo, O. O. & Olaniyi, O. (2008). Factors associated with pastoral and crop farmers conflict in derived Savannah zone of Oyo state, Nigeria. Journal of Human Ecology, 23(1):71-74
Adebayo, P. F. & Ojo, E. O. (2012). Food security in Nigeria: An overview. European Journal of Sustainable Development, 1(2):199-221
Aderinto, Adeyinka and Achem, Victor (2019). “A concentric approach to understanding herders-farmers clashes in Benue and Nasarawa States, Nigeria.” International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology. Vol. 11(4), pp. 37-42, July-September. DOI: 10.5897/IJSA2019.0803
Ahmed, A. (2023). Understanding and Addressing Nigeria's Worsening Food Inflation
Ake, M., Owoeye, G., Ajakaiye, O., and Ayantunji, K. A. A. (2023). Herders Farmers Crisis and food security in Nigeria – A case of Benue State. Baltic Journal of Law & politics. Vol.16 (1) ISSN 2029 – 0454.
Alao, D. Oladimeji et’al (2019). “Herdsmen/Native Farmers’ Violence in Benue State and Food Security in Nigeria.” Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences. Vol 10 No 6. Pp, 38-48.
Asanebi, Daupamowei Henry, PhD, (2024). “Farmers-Herders Conflicts and Food Insecurity in Nigeria,” Wukari International Studies Journal, VOL 8 (1), 2024, 39-50
Awotokun, Kunle, Agaptus Nwozor, John Shola Olanrewaju (2020). “Conflicts and the Retrogression of Sustainable Development: The Political Economy of Herders-Farmers’ Conflicts in Nigeria.” Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews. Vol 8, No 1, pp 624-633. https://doi.org/10.18510/hssr.2020.8175
Baca, W. Michael (2015). “My land, not your land: Farmer-Herder wars in the Sahel.” Foreign Affairs. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2015-08-21/my-land-not-your-land
Challenge.https://agorapolicy.org/understanding-and –Addressing-Nigeria-worsening-food-inflation-challenge/
Erunke, C., et al (2022). Farmer – Herder Conflict and its implication on food security in Benue
Evidence from Rural Nigeria. Agricultural and Resource Economic Review (2022), 51, 391 – 421.
Ezea, Samson (2018). “Herdsmen/farmers’ Clash as Threat to food Production.” The Guardian Nigeria News. 17 March. https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/herdsmen-farmers-clash-as-threat-to-food-production/
FAO (2018). Food outlook-biannual report on global food markets- November, 2018, Rome: FAO
FAO (2019). The Future of Livestock in Nigeria: Opportunities and Challenges in the face of Uncertainty.” Rome. http://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/ca5464en/
FAO (2021). Crop Prospects and Food Situation - Quarterly Global Report No. 2, July 2021. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb5603en
FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO (2021). The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World: Transforming food systems for food security, improved nutrition and affordable healthy diets for all. Rome, FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb4474en
February 15, 2024. Premium timesng.com/business-news/668583-update-Nigeria-inflation-hits
FSIN (2019). Global report on food cases: Joint analysis for better decisions. Available at www.fsinplatform.org. Accessed November 3, 2019
Haaga, P.T and Nom, A. (2022) “Pastoralism, Neo-Pastoralism and Farmers Conflict in Nigeria: The Imperative of Law”, Nasara Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2022, https://www.acjol.org/index.php/najop/article/view/5666
Idowu, Funsho (2021). “Nigeria: Pastoralist-Farmer Conflict a Threat to Food Security as Inflation Spikes.” The Proshare Ecosystem. February 02. https://www.proshareng.com/news/Agriculture/Nigeria--Pastoralist-Farmer-Conflict-a-Threat-to-Food-Security-as-Inflation-Spikes/55548
Independent study project (ISP) Collection. 3527 https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp - collection/3527
International Crisis Group (2017). “Herders Against Farmers: Nigeria’s Expanding Deadly Conflict” Africa Report No. 252, 19.
International Crisis Group (2017). “Herders against Farmers: Nigeria’s Expanding Deadly Conflict.” Africa Report N°252 https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/west-africa/nigeria/252-herders-against-farmers-nigerias-expanding-deadly-conflict
International Crisis Group (2018). “Stopping Nigeria’s Spiraling Farmer-Herder Violence” Africa Report No. 262, 26.
International Crisis Group (2018): “Stopping Nigeria’s Spiraling Farmer-Herder Violence” Africa Report No. 262, 26 July 2018; SBM Intel (2017): A Look at Nigeria’s Security Situation, http://sbmintel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/201701_Security-report.pdf.
Izuaka, M. (2024). "Nigeria's Inflation hits 29.9% amid high food prices. Premium Times.
Jooji, Innocent Tyomlia (2020). “Farmer-Herder Clashes and the Quest for Food Security in Nigeria: A Beam on Agatu.” International Journal of Scientific Research in Educational Studies & Social Development. Vol. 4 No. 1
Leme, A. Usman. (2017). Understanding Farmers-Herdsmen Conflict and the Way Forward. Retrieved from https://www.thecable.ng/understanding-farmers-herdsmen-conflict-way-forward
Li, Ningxin (2018). “Nigeria’s Fulani Herdsmen-Farmers Conflict and Peace Building.” Global Journal of Agricultural Research. Vol.6, No.5, pp.1-15, December
MBNP (2017). ICF assessment report in MBNP-December 2017. Available at www.africare.org. Accessed May 5, 2018
Nnaji, A., Ma, W., Ratna, N., Renwick, A. (2022). Farmer – Herder Conflicts and Food Security:
Okopi Okwulu; Omogbehin Esther Laraba; Lugbein-Osiogbo Jennifer Ebimoboere; Austin Idhomi, (2024). “Farmers -Herders Rivalry and Its Implications for Food Security and Household Income in Nigeria: Interrogating the trending issues.” Journal of Policy and Development Studies (JPDS), Vol. 16. Issue 1, 194-208. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jpds.v16i1.11
Olabode, A. D. & Ajibade, L. T. (2010). Environment induced conflict and sustainable development: A case of Fulani-farmers’ conflict in OkeEro L.G.A. Kwara state, Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 12(11):259-262
Olagunju, T. (2015). Drought, Desertification and the Nigerian Environment: A Review. Journal of Ecology and the Natural Environment, 7. 196-209. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5897/jene2015.0523
Oruonye, E. D., Ahmed, Y. M., Fatima, A. Y. (2020). “Impact of Farmers/Herders Conflict on Food Security in Nigeria: A Case Study of Taraba State Nigeria.” Scholars Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. 10.36347/sjahss.2020.v08i03.006
Riebe, Charis. (2022). The Geo-political impact of conflict on food security in Nigeria.
Solomon, Binga Lezuya (2021). “Impact of the Farmers and Herdsmen Conflict on Food Security; Focus on Taraba State.” International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS). Volume V, Issue III. Pp. 564- 573.
State North Central Nigeria. https://www.researchgate.net/public action/360947695 May 2022.
Sule, Peter Echewija (2020). “Open Grazing Prohibitions and the Politics of Exclusivist Identity in Nigeria.” Africa Review, DOI: 10.1080/09744053.2020.1812041
Tanko, Shawulu Paul (2021). “Impact of Farmer- Herders Conflict on Food Security in Benue State North Central Nigeria.” https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348836493
The World Bank (2018). World Development Indicators (WDI). Available at: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.PC.CD?locations=NG
Thomson, Andrew (2018). “Herder-Farmer Clashes Threaten Nigerian Food Security.” Future Directions International. 20 June, https://www.futuredirections.org.au/publication/herder-farmer-clashes-threaten-nigerian-food-security
Udosen, Nsikak Mathias, Farmers-Herders Crisis And Food Security In Nigeria: Causes And Implications, European Journal of Political Science Studies, vol. 5, issue 1, 2021, 24-43. DOI: 10.46827/ejpss.v5i1.1165
Ukamaka, D. et al. (2017). Livelihood issues in herdsmen-farmers’ conflicts among farming communities in Kogi state, Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 12(24):2105-2115
UNCTAD (2019). World statistical data-base. Available at www.bit.ly/21gbfkx. Accessed June 3, 2019
United Nations Peacebuilding (2019). Integrated Approach to Building Peace in Nigeria’s Farmer-Herder Crisis.
Verter, N. (2016). Analysis of external influences on agricultural performance in Nigeria. Agricultura et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 64(5):1805-1821.
World Food Programme (2019). Hunger and conflict: A fact sheet. Available at www.wfp.org. Accessed June 14, 2019.
Adebayo, O. O. & Olaniyi, O. (2008). Factors associated with pastoral and crop farmers conflict in derived Savannah zone of Oyo state, Nigeria. Journal of Human Ecology, 23(1):71-74
Adebayo, P. F. & Ojo, E. O. (2012). Food security in Nigeria: An overview. European Journal of Sustainable Development, 1(2):199-221
Aderinto, Adeyinka and Achem, Victor (2019). “A concentric approach to understanding herders-farmers clashes in Benue and Nasarawa States, Nigeria.” International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology. Vol. 11(4), pp. 37-42, July-September. DOI: 10.5897/IJSA2019.0803
Ahmed, A. (2023). Understanding and Addressing Nigeria's Worsening Food Inflation
Ake, M., Owoeye, G., Ajakaiye, O., and Ayantunji, K. A. A. (2023). Herders Farmers Crisis and food security in Nigeria – A case of Benue State. Baltic Journal of Law & politics. Vol.16 (1) ISSN 2029 – 0454.
Alao, D. Oladimeji et’al (2019). “Herdsmen/Native Farmers’ Violence in Benue State and Food Security in Nigeria.” Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences. Vol 10 No 6. Pp, 38-48.
Asanebi, Daupamowei Henry, PhD, (2024). “Farmers-Herders Conflicts and Food Insecurity in Nigeria,” Wukari International Studies Journal, VOL 8 (1), 2024, 39-50
Awotokun, Kunle, Agaptus Nwozor, John Shola Olanrewaju (2020). “Conflicts and the Retrogression of Sustainable Development: The Political Economy of Herders-Farmers’ Conflicts in Nigeria.” Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews. Vol 8, No 1, pp 624-633. https://doi.org/10.18510/hssr.2020.8175
Baca, W. Michael (2015). “My land, not your land: Farmer-Herder wars in the Sahel.” Foreign Affairs. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2015-08-21/my-land-not-your-land
Challenge.https://agorapolicy.org/understanding-and –Addressing-Nigeria-worsening-food-inflation-challenge/
Erunke, C., et al (2022). Farmer – Herder Conflict and its implication on food security in Benue
Evidence from Rural Nigeria. Agricultural and Resource Economic Review (2022), 51, 391 – 421.
Ezea, Samson (2018). “Herdsmen/farmers’ Clash as Threat to food Production.” The Guardian Nigeria News. 17 March. https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/herdsmen-farmers-clash-as-threat-to-food-production/
FAO (2018). Food outlook-biannual report on global food markets- November, 2018, Rome: FAO
FAO (2019). The Future of Livestock in Nigeria: Opportunities and Challenges in the face of Uncertainty.” Rome. http://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/ca5464en/
FAO (2021). Crop Prospects and Food Situation - Quarterly Global Report No. 2, July 2021. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb5603en
FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO (2021). The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World: Transforming food systems for food security, improved nutrition and affordable healthy diets for all. Rome, FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb4474en
February 15, 2024. Premium timesng.com/business-news/668583-update-Nigeria-inflation-hits
FSIN (2019). Global report on food cases: Joint analysis for better decisions. Available at www.fsinplatform.org. Accessed November 3, 2019
Haaga, P.T and Nom, A. (2022) “Pastoralism, Neo-Pastoralism and Farmers Conflict in Nigeria: The Imperative of Law”, Nasara Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2022, https://www.acjol.org/index.php/najop/article/view/5666
Idowu, Funsho (2021). “Nigeria: Pastoralist-Farmer Conflict a Threat to Food Security as Inflation Spikes.” The Proshare Ecosystem. February 02. https://www.proshareng.com/news/Agriculture/Nigeria--Pastoralist-Farmer-Conflict-a-Threat-to-Food-Security-as-Inflation-Spikes/55548
Independent study project (ISP) Collection. 3527 https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp - collection/3527
International Crisis Group (2017). “Herders Against Farmers: Nigeria’s Expanding Deadly Conflict” Africa Report No. 252, 19.
International Crisis Group (2017). “Herders against Farmers: Nigeria’s Expanding Deadly Conflict.” Africa Report N°252 https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/west-africa/nigeria/252-herders-against-farmers-nigerias-expanding-deadly-conflict
International Crisis Group (2018). “Stopping Nigeria’s Spiraling Farmer-Herder Violence” Africa Report No. 262, 26.
International Crisis Group (2018): “Stopping Nigeria’s Spiraling Farmer-Herder Violence” Africa Report No. 262, 26 July 2018; SBM Intel (2017): A Look at Nigeria’s Security Situation, http://sbmintel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/201701_Security-report.pdf.
Izuaka, M. (2024). "Nigeria's Inflation hits 29.9% amid high food prices. Premium Times.
Jooji, Innocent Tyomlia (2020). “Farmer-Herder Clashes and the Quest for Food Security in Nigeria: A Beam on Agatu.” International Journal of Scientific Research in Educational Studies & Social Development. Vol. 4 No. 1
Leme, A. Usman. (2017). Understanding Farmers-Herdsmen Conflict and the Way Forward. Retrieved from https://www.thecable.ng/understanding-farmers-herdsmen-conflict-way-forward
Li, Ningxin (2018). “Nigeria’s Fulani Herdsmen-Farmers Conflict and Peace Building.” Global Journal of Agricultural Research. Vol.6, No.5, pp.1-15, December
MBNP (2017). ICF assessment report in MBNP-December 2017. Available at www.africare.org. Accessed May 5, 2018
Nnaji, A., Ma, W., Ratna, N., Renwick, A. (2022). Farmer – Herder Conflicts and Food Security:
Okopi Okwulu; Omogbehin Esther Laraba; Lugbein-Osiogbo Jennifer Ebimoboere; Austin Idhomi, (2024). “Farmers -Herders Rivalry and Its Implications for Food Security and Household Income in Nigeria: Interrogating the trending issues.” Journal of Policy and Development Studies (JPDS), Vol. 16. Issue 1, 194-208. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jpds.v16i1.11
Olabode, A. D. & Ajibade, L. T. (2010). Environment induced conflict and sustainable development: A case of Fulani-farmers’ conflict in OkeEro L.G.A. Kwara state, Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 12(11):259-262
Olagunju, T. (2015). Drought, Desertification and the Nigerian Environment: A Review. Journal of Ecology and the Natural Environment, 7. 196-209. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5897/jene2015.0523
Oruonye, E. D., Ahmed, Y. M., Fatima, A. Y. (2020). “Impact of Farmers/Herders Conflict on Food Security in Nigeria: A Case Study of Taraba State Nigeria.” Scholars Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. 10.36347/sjahss.2020.v08i03.006
Riebe, Charis. (2022). The Geo-political impact of conflict on food security in Nigeria.
Solomon, Binga Lezuya (2021). “Impact of the Farmers and Herdsmen Conflict on Food Security; Focus on Taraba State.” International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS). Volume V, Issue III. Pp. 564- 573.
State North Central Nigeria. https://www.researchgate.net/public action/360947695 May 2022.
Sule, Peter Echewija (2020). “Open Grazing Prohibitions and the Politics of Exclusivist Identity in Nigeria.” Africa Review, DOI: 10.1080/09744053.2020.1812041
Tanko, Shawulu Paul (2021). “Impact of Farmer- Herders Conflict on Food Security in Benue State North Central Nigeria.” https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348836493
The World Bank (2018). World Development Indicators (WDI). Available at: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.PC.CD?locations=NG
Thomson, Andrew (2018). “Herder-Farmer Clashes Threaten Nigerian Food Security.” Future Directions International. 20 June, https://www.futuredirections.org.au/publication/herder-farmer-clashes-threaten-nigerian-food-security
Udosen, Nsikak Mathias, Farmers-Herders Crisis And Food Security In Nigeria: Causes And Implications, European Journal of Political Science Studies, vol. 5, issue 1, 2021, 24-43. DOI: 10.46827/ejpss.v5i1.1165
Ukamaka, D. et al. (2017). Livelihood issues in herdsmen-farmers’ conflicts among farming communities in Kogi state, Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 12(24):2105-2115
UNCTAD (2019). World statistical data-base. Available at www.bit.ly/21gbfkx. Accessed June 3, 2019
United Nations Peacebuilding (2019). Integrated Approach to Building Peace in Nigeria’s Farmer-Herder Crisis.
Verter, N. (2016). Analysis of external influences on agricultural performance in Nigeria. Agricultura et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 64(5):1805-1821.
World Food Programme (2019). Hunger and conflict: A fact sheet. Available at www.wfp.org. Accessed June 14, 2019.