Assessment of crop farmers coping strategies to pastoralism/nomad activities in Nigeria

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>This study examined the coping strategies of crop farmers to pastoralist activities in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 120 farmers. The data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire and interview and were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The result revealed various levels of damage caused to food security by the pastoralist as follows: compaction of soil (84%), damage and eating of the crops on the field (79%), indiscriminate bush burning leading to fire outbreak on farms (73%), stealing of farm produce by herders (73%), pollution of water points (54%), killing of farmers (13%) and others. The result further revealed the coping strategies used by crop farmers: praying for peace (98%), early harvesting (95%), early planting (92%), multiple farm plots (91%), group farming (90%), relocating farm (77%), police intervention (60%), government intervention (9%), NGO intervention (9%) and insurance (4.2%). The results of Chi-square analysis showed that there is a significant relationship between the educational status (<jats:italic>X</jats:italic><jats:sup><jats:italic>2</jats:italic></jats:sup> = 13.06, <jats:italic>P</jats:italic> = 0.01) and coping strategies used against pastoralist activities. Therefore, it is recommended that the government should formulate a policy that will stimulate peace among crop farmers and pastoralist to sustain food security and reduce poverty among rural dwellers, thereby transforming the rural environment into an attractive centre.</jats:p>

Crop farmers’ coping strategies for mitigating conflicts with cattle herders: Evidence from Osun State, Nigeria

“…Information presented in Table 3 shows that loss of This is evident in the tremendous price hike of food commodities across the country. This is similar to the finding of Alao et al (2019) and Obaniyi et al (2020) who argued that the conflict has continued to reduce the quantity of farmers' output and loss of income due to the destruction of crops by cattle herders. Other effects of conflicts on farmers include insecurity/loss of community peace (mean = 1.45), displacement of farmers and families (mean = 1.42), and acquisition of weapons to defend themselves (mean = 1.39).…”

“…It has posed much of serious negative implications for Nigeria's national integration; and has also heightened the level of insecurity and food shortage. The economic effects of these conflicts have led to a loss of lives, displacement of farmers, loss of production, loss of houses and property, infrastructural damage, and scarcity of agricultural products among others (Alao et al, 2019;Obaniyi et al, 2020;Mercy Corps, 2015;Bello, 2013).…”

“…Consequently, these conflicts are having serious negative implications on community peace, agricultural production, and security of lives and properties of rural dwellers especially crop farmers, thereby forcing them to employ various strategies to survive the threat and remain in agricultural production activities for a continuous supply of food crops and other products for the country. Although there is a quantum of literature on the causes and effects of farmer-herders in Nigeria, only a few scholars such as Urmar and Urmar (2013); Chikaire et al (2017) and Obaniyi et al (2020) centered their studies on coping strategies adopted to mitigate the effects of farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria. They reported the use of local vigilantes, building fences/pegs around their farms, charms, praying for peace, and spraying pesticides on crops.…”

Assessing the determinants of agricultural commercialization and challenges confronting cassava farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria

“…Empirical evidences have shown that this situation is common in the northern part of Nigeria but the southern states have also started experiencing this menace by the Fulani herdsmen (Bello, 2013;Ikhuoso e al., 2020;Kazzah, 2018;Salihu, 2018). This finding is supported by Obaniyi et al (2020) who identified damages done to crop farmers in Osun State by the Fulani herdsmen attacks.…”

“…Considering the myriad of problems confronting crop farmers in Nigeria, empirical studies have documented the spate of wanton destruction of crops on farmers' farmland by Fulani herdsmen's cattle.This has become a common phenomenon in the Northern (north-east, north-west and north-central) part of Nigeria (Bello, 2013;Ikhuoso et al, 2020;Salihu, 2018). In recent time, apart from already identified problems such as lack of credit, inadequate farm inputs, inadequate market information and lack of rural infrastructure, crop farmers in the South-west Nigeria now experience similar attacks by the Fulani herdsmen (Obaniyi et al, 2020). While in search for pasture and water for their cattle, herders directed their cattle to crop farmers' farm and the cattle were made to feed on the growing crops and in the process, destroying the crops (such as cassava).…”