Influence Of Farmers-Herders Conflict On Farming Economy Of Anambra Agricultural Zone Of Anambra State, Nigeria
Okafor Ogochukwu Esther PhD
Department of Cooperative Economics & Management, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
Ojiagu Nkechi C
Department of Cooperative Economics & Management, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
Michael Maureen Chinenye PhD
Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri, Imo State.
Keywords: farmers-herders, farming economy, Conflict, Anambra agricultural zone, resource use
Abstract
The regular crisis between farmers and herders in the studied area necessitated this study to examine the influence of farmers-herders conflict on the farming economy of Anambra Agricultural Zone, Anambra State, Nigeria. The work is anchored on the Conflict Theory as derived from the ideas of Karl Marx (1818-1883). The study adopted a survey research design and the study area was Anambra State. The total population of the study was 1534 (Cassava farmers and Herders) while a sample size of 317 was statistically determined using Slovin’s formula. Questionnaire was employed to obtain data for the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and hypotheses were tested at a 0.05 level of significance, signifying a 95% level of confidence. Findings revealed that the biggest cause of conflict according to herders was struggling over grazing land with 59% of the total 34 herders respondents attesting to this. This was followed by poor grazing policies with 17% pointing it out to be one of the causes of conflict. According to the farmers, 91% of the total 216 highlighted struggle over grazing land to be the major cause of conflict in the area while 7% posited that the cause was deliberate grazing of cattle on crops. The hypotheses revealed that there was a statistically significant relationship between farmers and herders conflict on resource use and that farmers-herders conflict has a significant effect on extension agent services in the studied area. Sequel to this, it was concluded that the conflict between the two groups affects not just resources use in the area but also the extension services in the area and it was recommended among others that the grazing problem needs to be looked at innovatively, through the creation of ranches that will systematically solve the grazing issues.