Crop Farmers-Herdsmen Conflict in Nigeria : Exploring the Socio-Economic Implication on National Development

: Agriculture prior to the discovery of oil in the Niger-Delta was the mainstay of Nigeria‟s economy. Farming, which is the activity or business of growing crops and raising of livestock, is a key component of agricultural activities. Raising of livestock such as cow, cattle and sheep were previously predominant in the Northern part of Nigeria whereas the Southern part were noted for cultivation of crops and plants such as palm tree, cocoa, etc. Originally, the Fulani herdsmen who engaged in nomadic grazing of their cattle were relatively in harmonious coexistence with crop farmers who cultivated crops, in the areas of their settlements. The herdsmen were then known for holding sticks which they employed in controlling and directing their cattle. They ensured that their cattle followed the right path and grazed in land where there would be no economic destruction. Nevertheless, the situations, in recent time, have changed. The relationship between crop-growing farmers and cattle-raising herdsmen in different parts of the country is far from being harmonious. The escalating conflicts between the two parties pose a challenge to national development. Hence, the study explored the socio-economic implication of the crop growing farmers-herdsmen conflicts on national development with a view to suggesting some practical solutions. The study‟s data were generated from documentary and interviews granted to key stakeholders. The findings of the study revealed that the conflicts have gravely imparted negatively on social and economic lives in the affected areas and consequently have hindered national development. The roots of the intensifying conflict, among other things are attributed to struggle for resource (land) control by crop farmers and herdsmen; proliferation of arms and mismanagement of conflicts by key stakeholders. Therefore, the study suggested that government should be sincere and committed in enacting and enforcing laws that regulate activities of herdsmen particularly as regards to open grazing; the herdsmen should be de-militarized and re-orientated on modern grazing system while perpetrators of attacks should be diligently prosecuted. Besides, the community leaders and other community-based organizations should at all material time endeavor to enhance peaceful co-existence among different inhabitants in their areas via alternative dispute resolution mechanism.