Authors : Abada Ifeanyichukwu Michael, Okafor Nneka Ifeoma and Omeh Hezekiah Paul
Abstract: The recent phenomenal attacks by herders on the sedentary farmers had taken a new paradigm shift thereby altering the existing social relations between arable farmers and pastoral herders. Thus, Benue State has been the most target population that had received its portion of damage on farms and death toll of her population, especially, the labour force. The most worrisome is the inadequate attention paid by Nigerian government and Benue State in curtailing the viral attacks. However, the focus of this study sets to examine the nature and contradictions of conflicts between Fulani-herders and arable-indigenous farmers, implication of unhealthy relations between sedentary and pastoral farmers on economic growth and development in Benue State. Methodologically, the study appropriated mixed method approach and data were generated through the primary sources of data collection. The study also utilized participatory research and focus group discussion and in-depth interview. The sample size of 340 farmers was purposively chosen from the population of farmers from three selected local governments in Benue State which were affected by the attacks. The theoretical framework of analysis for the study was anchored on the theory of protracted social conflict as propounded by Edward Azar. The findings of the study revealed that the struggle for limited natural resources (pasture ranges) had heightened the intense of conflicts, reduction of incomes accruable to farmers and problem of food security for human sustenance. Therefore, the study recommends among others; reforestation and utilization of Sambisa forests and strengthening of the local securities and institutions for adequate policing.
Abada Ifeanyichukwu Michael, Okafor Nneka Ifeoma and Omeh Hezekiah Paul, 2019. Contradictions of State-Building in Nigeria: The Link Between Arable and Pastoral Farmer’s Conflict and Economic Development in Benue State, Nigeria by. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 14: 9740-9744.