Evaluation of the Impacts of Conflicts on Farmers’ and Pastoralists’ Livelihood in Benue State, Nigeria

The study looks at the ongoing confrontations between Nigeria’s Benue State’s farmers and pastoralists. Using Krejcie and Morgan’s methodology, the sample size for the survey was 245 farmers and 82 pastoralists, while six of the most affected communities were chosen from three LGAs using the purposeful sampling technique. The study employed percentages, arithmetic means, and the Relative Importance Index to assess the data. The findings showed that the majority of farmers and pastoralists in Benue State were men, accounting for 70% and 85% of the total population, respectively. Approximately 75% of all respondents in Benue State stated that assaults including the use of weapons were the predominant type of conflict. According to farmers and pastoralists, the land tenure system and cattle’s damage of crops were the main causes of conflicts ((x) ̅=3.30 R1, 2.58 R1). Conflicts between crop farmers and pastoralists were mostly influenced by changes in livelihood activities (Mean RII = 0.83, R1), insecurity (Mean RII = 0.80, R2), and an increase in crop loss and animal death (Mean RII = 0.77, R3) in the research area. The study found that the socioeconomic circumstances of the residents of the study area had been adversely affected by the increase in crop loss and animal mortality. Therefore, clearly defined government policies and an implementation framework that would lessen excessive crises, improve conflict management, and encourage investment in non-farm activities would significantly improve the tense relationship between farmers and pastoralists in the study area.