Farmers' Perception on the influence of Inter-communal Conflicts on Agricultural Production in Shaare/Tsaragi Communities, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Rural communities which produce the bulk of agricultural produce in Nigeria have been plagued by several inter communal conflicts. One of such conflicts is Share /Tsaragi inter-communal conflicts. The objective of the study was to assess perceptions of farmers on the influence of inter-communal conflicts on the agricultural production in Share and Tsaragi communities in Edu and Ifelodun Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kwara State, Nigeria. Methododology. A three-stage random sampling procedure was used to select one hundred and twenty (120) respondents for the study.  Data were collected through the use of interview schedule technique. A likert-type five point continuum scale was used to rank farmers perceptions with five (5) as the most and one (1) as the worst check. Results The results showed that 68% of the respondents were above forty (40) years of age and 70% have resided in the communities for more than ten (10) years. Respondents perceived that conflict of resource which bordered on boundary issue, claim of ownership of fertile land at Fejewe area, conversion of leased land to personal property among others are causes of the conflicts within the two communities. The results equally revealed the perceptions of respondents on the effects of conflicts in the area to include scarcity of arable land, displacement of farmers, destruction of lands and crops, scarcity of food and destruction of stored produce among others. The study showed relationship between selected socio-economic characteristics and perception. Conclusion. The study concludes that there should be clear delineation of the boundary within the two communities, lift of ban on some arable lands seized by the government and promotion of other secondary occupation to relieve pressure on the land.