Security Implications of Herdsmen and Farmers Conflicts on Food Production in Nigeria

This study was set out to examine the security implications of Herdsmen and Farmers’ conflict on food production in Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: analyze the causes of Fulani-Herdsmen and farmers conflict in Nigeria and to analyze the Implications of Farmers-Herdsmen Conflict on Food Security in Nigeria and to proffer solutions to the aforementioned problems. Relying on data generated from secondary sources, the study revealed that the presence of the nomads and their cattle has provoked violent clashes in several communities across the country. This scenario has given rise to an unhealthy rivalry between farmers and herdsmen leading to violence, loss of lives and property. In some cases, a good number of community residents, mostly farmers are wiped out and those fortunate to escape have become refugees in other places. The escalation of such conflicts, which is usually driven by very entrenched considerations other than just the destruction of crops by herds of cattle, has resulted in food shortage in most states of the Middle Belt with Benue State as the most affected. The study further revealed that the food production capacity of Benue State, known as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” has reduced from 100% to about 65%. This is because agro-inputs are rarely found, crops on the farmlands are destroyed, and most farmers have taken to their heels. The crisis has been found to have led to food shortage, an increase in the price of food items, and limited people’s access to food through the destruction of infrastructure necessary for food production, ultimately resulting in famine. Herdsmen crisis also led to physical destruction and plundering of crops, livestock, harvest, and food reserves. Further, displacement of people creates acute food shortages in the receiving areas where they seek refuge. Among other things, the study recommended the need for the herdsmen to be properly educated on the modern ways of rearing livestock.