Assessing effects of farmers-graziers conflict on agricultural information access among farming household in Agatu LGA. of Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assesses the effects of farmers-graziers conflict on agricultural information access among faming household in Agatu local government area of Benue State. The objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, identify the factors responsible for farmers-graziers conflict, ascertain the effects of the conflict on the accessibility of agricultural information by the farmers, and identify constraints to resolution of farmers-graziers conflict. One hundred and twenty (120) farmers were randomly selected for this study. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis and mean score from Likert type of scale. Findings of the study revealed that 65.0% of the farmers were males and 74.2% married. 26.6% of the crop farmers were within the age range of 31-40 years with 56.7% having secondary education. The result further shows that crop damage (97.5%), government attitude (91.7%), competition for land and water (89.2%), low level of compliance to stock rules (88.3%), bush burning (88.3%), unstable grazing land (87.5%) and pollution of drinkable water (86.7%) were the major causes of farmer-graziers conflict.  It is evident from the findings that most of the agricultural information were more accessible before (accessibility index=0.43) the conflict than after (accessibility index=0.30) the conflict. Findings from the study further reveals that neglect of dialogue terms (84.2%), influence of Government agencies (89.2%), unfair court ruling (60.0%) and corruption among traditional rulers (56.6%) are the major factors constraining the resolution of conflict. Based on this, it is recommended that Survey, demarcation, beaconing and gazetting of the government owned grazing reserves and cattle routes, to reduce pressure on the already overstretched reserves. This could help reduce crop damage. Government should endeavor to pay compensation to the affected farmers so as to reduce anger of retaliation and to enable them recover what they have loss during the hurtful condition.