DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2020.v08i03.006

Pages: 154-163

One of the greatest security challenges in Nigeria in recent time is the increasing conflicts between crop farmers and herders. Today, the conflict has spread over wide geographical areas on the continents of Africa, Nigeria and Taraba state in particular. In the same manner, the weapons used in the conflict have moved from small and light arms to use of heavy and complex weapons and ammunitions such as rifles and AK47 among others. Taraba State is one of the States in Nigeria that have been greatly affected by conflict between crop farmers and cattle herders. It is against this background that this paper examines the increased level of conflict between farmers and herders in Nigeria, the dynamics associated with the conflict and its impacts on food security in the country with special focus on Taraba State. This study analyses the factors that help cause or aggravate these conflicts, their evolution and spread, and their human toll in the State. It further assesses responses, especially by the federal government and its security agencies, and outlines possible strategies to reduce or prevent occurrence of the conflicts. The data for this study was drawn from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data was generated from field survey carried out in the State. The study utilised data and information from multiple policy documents (from the Federal and State Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Service department) in Jalingo. Data generated from the survey was complemented by extensive desk review on the farmers-herders conflicts. Media tracking and records of farmers-herders conflicts provided additional sources of information. Key Informants Interview (KIs) was also employed to enrich the findings of the study. The findings of the study reveals that the increasing incidence of farmers-herders conflict is as a result of the breakdown of the traditional mechanism for resolving disputes and conflicts in rural communities. The increasing incidence of the farmers....