CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF FARMERS-HERDERS CONFLICT IN THE NORTHEN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OF PLATEAU STATE

Abstract

This paper basically focuses on farmers-herders conflict in the northern local governments of Plateau State. Farmer is a person who owns, works on or operates an agricultural enterprise, either commercially or to sustain himself or his family. Herders or pastoralists can be seen as a form of nomadism in which livestock are herded in order to identify fresh pastures on which to graze. Conflicts  is  a  disagreement  between  two  or  more  people, communities or nations based on certain factors which may be social, ethnic, cultural, economic, political, and religious or a combination  of  two  or  more  factors. The paper further revealed the concept of Conflict, reconciliation causes of farmers-herdsmen conflicts, effects of crop farmers and cattle herders’ conflict, conflict management strategies and mechanisms employed by institutions in managing farmer-herder conflicts. The study  concluded that the causes of famers-herders conflicts include: encroachment into farm-field, cattle  rustling,  destruction  of  crops  by  herdsmen, and seasonal  southward migration  of  herdsmen , marginalization, increase in population growth among others. The effect of farmers-herders conflict can be seen on physical structures, economic and on human beings leaving behind negative consequences. Based on these, the study recommended among others that herders and farmers should form more unions and alliances to express their interests and speak collectively. By seeking redress from the appropriate authority if a conflict occurred, this might minimize the incidence of "jungle justice." Also, the Traditional rulers and the herders' well-known Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) should be fully involved in sensitization of their members, in which they place their confidence.