The Causes Of Farmers And Cattle Herdsmen’s Conflicts And Their Implication On Socio-Economic Development. A Case Study of Mubi South L.G.A. Adamawa (2015-2019)

Abstract

The study specifically examined the causes of cattle herders and farmers conflict on socio economic development of Mubi South Local Government; Adamawa 2015-2019. The impact of climate change, encroachment into the farms by cattle and blockage of grazing areas and cattle routes by farmers causes serious threat to the mutual relationship between them and has identified as the main causes of the conflicts. It could also traced to the destruction of farm crops by the cattle in the course of grazing, and the reprisal attacks by some farmers. The major objectives of this is to examine the causes of Farmers and herdsmen’s conflicts and its implication on socio-economic development. It was also identify the factors responsible for the farmers and herders conflicts, also examine the consequences of conflicts between Farmers and cattle herdsmen on socio-economic development in Mubi South Local Government. The research adapted both the primary and secondary source of data, relevant published journals, articles, books and reports were used. Structured questionnaires, face to face interview and survey design and qualitative method of data analysis has been used. Reasearch findings revealed that the major cause of the conflict was destruction of crops and blockage of cattle route and low grazing areas. The social effect of the menace of herdsmen are reduction in quality of social relationship, reduction of social support fear of been to farm because of kidnapping while the economic effect of the menace of herdsmen are reduction in output and income of farmers, herdsmen and the entire local government, cattle rustling, scarcity of agricultural products, loss properties and life. Social identity theory was adopted. The study recommend among other that herdsmen should be made to keep to the agreed grazing reserve and cattle routes and farmers should avoid farming across cattle routes and grazing reserve, government should review the act and fully implement the Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) programme. The study were concluded that there is the need to identify the causes, repercussions and proffer lasting solution to the roots of the conflicts.