Farmers-Herders Conflict and Nigeria’s Quest for Food Security: The Imperative Need for Information Communications Technology
Main Article Content
Keywords
Conflict, Food Insecurity, Information Communications Technology, Nigeria, Farmers-Herdsmen
Abstract
Although, Nigeria is chiefly known for its oil and gas production, agriculture employs about 70 per cent of its labour force. Nigeria has experienced severe farmers-herders conflict that has negatively influenced her agricultural production capacity, resulting in severe food insecurity. Tensions have grown over the past decades, with increasingly violent flare-ups between the farmers and the herdsmen spreading across the entire country. In recent times, many scholarly studies and inquiries on the impact of Information Communications Technology, particularly with respect to promoting food security in Nigeria, have been engendered mainly by the need to ensure greater agricultural outputs among farmers and other agriculturists. However, only scanty attention had been devoted to the need to understand the imperativeness of the use of Information Communications Technology in the quest to proffer solutions to the incessant farmers-herdsmen conflicts that have also contributed to the unpalatable state of food security in Nigeria. The study adopts Karl Marx’s Conflict Theory as a framework of analysis and qualitative date elicited through content analysis of desktop date. Hinging on this theory, this study contends that the farmers-herdsmen conflict is inevitable like every other conflict due to the competition for limited land resources. The study however found out that why the farmers-herdsmen conflict has persisted, among many other factors, was due to the failure of relevant stakeholders to leverage on the possibilities of Information Communications Technology to address the technological gap in the conflict. While further findings suggest that the principal causes and aggravating factors behind the escalating conflict are climatic changes; population growth; technological and economic changes; crime; political and ethnic strife; and cultural changes, the lack of use of Information Communications Technology in the areas of educating both the farmers and herders, awareness creation, crime reporting and conflicts resolution further compounds the farmers-herdsmen conflicts. This study recommends the need for proper and improved use of I.C.T. in the processes to address the farmers-herdsmen conflicts.
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References
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[60] Abughdyer R.A. (2016). Farmers and Pastoralists Conflicts in Benue State: Implications for food security. M.Sc Thesis Submitted to the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Benue State University Makurdi.
[61] Abughdyer R.A. (2016). Farmers and Pastoralists Conflicts in Benue State: Implications for food security. M.Sc Thesis Submitted to the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Benue State University Makurdi.
[2] Anter, T. (2011). Who are the people and their Origin?
[3] Omitola, B. Akinrinde, O. O., Omodunbi, O., Adegboye, D. & Adedire, S. (2021). Cattle Settlement Policy and Nigeria’s troubled Federation: Ethno-religious Politics through other means. Law Research Review Quarterly, 7 (3).
[4] Omitola, B., Adedire, S., Akinrinde, O. O., Omodunbi, O. & Sackflame, M. M. (2021). The Triangle of Terror: Boko Haram, Fulani Herdsmen, Bandits and Organized Insecurity in Nigeria. Studia Securitatis, Vol. 15 (1).
[5] Omitola, B., Adedire, S., Akinrinde, O. O., Omodunbi, O. & Sackflame, M. M. (2021). The Triangle of Terror: Boko Haram, Fulani Herdsmen, Bandits and Organized Insecurity in Nigeria. Studia Securitatis, Vol. 15 (1).
[6] Adetula, D. (2016). Understanding the Fulani herdsmen crisis in Nigeria: Here is everything you need to know. Accessed from www.venturesafrica.com on 25 February, 2020.
[7] Balogun O. S. (2017). Assuring Food Security: The Role of the Crop Protectionist. The One Hundred and Seventieth Inaugural Lecture, University Press, Ilorin.
[8] Balogun O. S. (2017). Assuring Food Security: The Role of the Crop Protectionist. The One Hundred and Seventieth Inaugural Lecture, University Press, Ilorin.
[9] Balogun O. S. (2017). Assuring Food Security: The Role of the Crop Protectionist. The One Hundred and Seventieth Inaugural Lecture, University Press, Ilorin.
[10] Nyong A. & Fiki C. (2005). Droughts Related Conflicts, Management and Resolution in the West Africa Sahel. Human Security and Climate Change International Workshop. Oslo, GECHS CICERO, pp5-16.
[11] Yahaya H. N. (2013). Fulani Herdsmen and Local Communities: Ensuring Peaceful Relationship. Kwara State Council of Chiefs Proceedings of the 1st Royal Summit on Peace and Security in Kwara State.
[12] Balogun O. S. (2017). Assuring Food Security: The Role of the Crop Protectionist. The One Hundred and Seventieth Inaugural Lecture, University Press, Ilorin.
[13] Food and Agricultural Organization (2009). State of Food Insecurity in the World. (SOFI) 2009, Rome: Food Agricultural Organization.
[14] Balogun O. S. (2017). Assuring Food Security: The Role of the Crop Protectionist. The One Hundred and Seventieth Inaugural Lecture, University Press, Ilori
[15] United Nations Agriculture Agency (2017). Conflicts, Drought Drive Hunger Despite Strong Global Food Supply. UN News Centre, Hunger and Food Security News.
[16] United Nations Agriculture Agency (2017). Conflicts, Drought Drive Hunger Despite Strong Global Food Supply. UN News Centre, Hunger and Food Security News.
[17] World Bank (1986). Rising Global demand in Farmland: can it yield Sustainable and Equitable Benefits? The World Bank. Washington DC.
[18] Okechukwu I. E. (2014). Food Security in Nigeria: A Thematic Exposition. Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review, 4 (1).
[19] Okechukwu I. E. (2014). Food Security in Nigeria: A Thematic Exposition. Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review, 4 (1).
[20] United Nations Agriculture Agency (2017). Conflicts, Drought Drive Hunger Despite Strong Global Food Supply. UN News Centre, Hunger and Food Security News.
[21] United Nations Agriculture Agency (2017). Conflicts, Drought Drive Hunger Despite Strong Global Food Supply. UN News Centre, Hunger and Food Security News.
[22] Food and Agricultural Organization. (2004). Rome Declaration and World Food Security plan of Action, Rome: Food and Agricultural Organization.
[23] Balogun O. S. (2017). Assuring Food Security: The Role of the Crop Protectionist. The One Hundred and Seventieth Inaugural Lecture, University Press, Ilorin.
[24] Food and Agricultural Organization (2009). State of Food Insecurity in the World. (SOFI) 2009, Rome: Food Agricultural Organization.
[25] Mikailu N. (2016). Making sense of Nigeria's Fulani-farmer conflict. BBC News Africa Section, 5 May.
[26] Nwosu C. (2017). Between Fulani Herdsmen and Farmers National Security Under Buhari. The Republic. Accessed from: http://www.republic.com.ng/aprilmay-2020/fulani-herdsmen farmers/.
[27] Aluko, I.O. (2017). Urban Violence Dimension in Nigeria: Farmers and Herders Onslaught. AGATHOS, Volume 8, Issue 1. Accessed from www.agathos-internationalreview.com
[28] Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution IPCR (2012). Strategic Conflict Assessment: North Central Zone. Kwara State Ministry of Information and Communications.
[29] Adisa, R.S. (2010). Management of farmers-herdsmen conflict in North-central Nigeria: Implication for Collaboration between agricultural extension and service and other stakeholders. Journal of International Agricultural Education and Extension, 18(1), 60- 72.
[30] Albert, I. O. (2001). Building Peace, advancing Democracy: Experience with Third Party Interventions in Nigeria’s Conflict. Johns Archers Publishers Limited: Ibadan.
[31] Albert, I. O. (2001). Building Peace, advancing Democracy: Experience with Third Party Interventions in Nigeria’s Conflict. Johns Archers Publishers Limited: Ibadan.
[32] Albert, I. O. (2001). Building Peace, advancing Democracy: Experience with Third Party Interventions in Nigeria’s Conflict. Johns Archers Publishers Limited: Ibadan.
[33] Bello, M. (2015). How to Solve the Fulani Herdsmen versus Farmers Clashes in Nigeria by MIYETTI Allah. Premium Times Online Newspaper, 14 October 2015 Available at http://www.premium-times-ng.com.html Accessed 11 March, 2020.
[34] Bello, M. (2015). How to Solve the Fulani Herdsmen versus Farmers Clashes in Nigeria by MIYETTI Allah. Premium Times Online Newspaper, 14 October 2015 Available at http://www.premium-times-ng.com.html Accessed 11 March, 2020.
[35] Albert, I. O. (2001). Building Peace, advancing Democracy: Experience with Third Party Interventions in Nigeria’s Conflict. Johns Archers Publishers Limited: Ibadan.
[36] Bello, M. (2015). How to Solve the Fulani Herdsmen versus Farmers Clashes in Nigeria by MIYETTI Allah. Premium Times Online Newspaper, 14 October 2015 Available at http://www.premium-times-ng.com.html Accessed 11 March, 2020.
[37] Food and Agricultural Organization (2009). State of Food Insecurity in the World. (SOFI) 2009, Rome: Food Agricultural Organization.
[38] Mbachu, O. (2008). Foreign Policy Analysis: The Nigerian Perspective. Kaduna: Joys Graphics Publishers, 45–70.
[39] Nana, T. (2017). Population Demographics and National Development in Nigeria. Paper Presented at the National Defence College Abuja on 26 September 2017 for Participants of Course 26.
[40] Abah, R. C. & Petja, M. (2015). The Socio-economic Factors affecting Agricultural Development in the Lower River Benue Basin. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare, 5 (24).
[41] Omitola, B. Akinrinde, O. O., Omodunbi, O., Adegboye, D. & Adedire, S. (2021). Cattle Settlement Policy and Nigeria’s troubled Federation: Ethno-religious Politics through other means. Law Research Review Quarterly, 7 (3).
[42] Oyetunbi, O., & Akinrinde, O. O. (2021). Political Crisis and The Politics of Religious Divisiveness in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. The Digest: Journal of Jurisprudence and Legisprudence, 2 (2), 173-196.
[43] Food and Agricultural Organization (2009). State of Food Insecurity in the World. (SOFI) 2009, Rome: Food Agricultural Organization.
[44] [45] Abughdyer R.A. (2016). Farmers and Pastoralists Conflicts in Benue State: Implications for food security. M.Sc Thesis Submitted to the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Benue State University Makurdi.
[46] Okoli, A. C., & Atelhe, A. G. (2014). Nomads against natives: A political ecology of herder-farmer conflicts in Nasarawa, Nigeria. American International Journal of Contemporary Research, 4 (2).
[47] [48] Ofem, O. O. & Iyang, B. (2014). Livelihood and Conflict dimension among crop farmers and Fulani herdsmen in Yakur region of Cross River State. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 5 (8).
[49] Alli, Y. (2018). Federal Government to build 94 ranches in 10 states. The Nations News, 20 June 2018. http://thenationonlineng.net/fed-govt-to-build-94-ranches-in-10-states/, accessed on 11 March, 2020.
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[52] Peace and Security Forum (2017). Resolving the Herders/Farmers Conflict in Nigeria, Policy Brief.
[53] Federal Government of Nigeria (1999) Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
[54] Agande, B. (2017). Army Launches Operation Harbin Kunama II in Southern Kaduna. Vanguard News. Available at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/04/army-launches- operation-harbin-kunama-ii-southern-kaduna/, accessed 17 February, 2020.
[55] Land Use Decree (1978) No. 6, Cap 202. Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
[56] Abughdyer R.A. (2016). Farmers and Pastoralists Conflicts in Benue State: Implications for food security. M.Sc Thesis Submitted to the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Benue State University Makurdi.
[57] [58] Alli, Y. (2018). Federal Government to build 94 ranches in 10 states. The Nations News, 20 June 2018. http://thenationonlineng.net/fed-govt-to-build-94-ranches-in-10-states/, accessed on 11 March, 2020.
[59] Alli, Y. (2018). Abughdyer R.A. (2016). Farmers and Pastoralists Conflicts in Benue State: Implications for food security. M.Sc Thesis Submitted to the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Benue State University Makurdi.
[60] Abughdyer R.A. (2016). Farmers and Pastoralists Conflicts in Benue State: Implications for food security. M.Sc Thesis Submitted to the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Benue State University Makurdi.
[61] Abughdyer R.A. (2016). Farmers and Pastoralists Conflicts in Benue State: Implications for food security. M.Sc Thesis Submitted to the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Benue State University Makurdi.
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Farmers-Herders Conflict and Nigeria’s Quest for Food Security: The Imperative Need for Information Communications Technology. (2021). Journal of Digital Food, Energy & Water Systems, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.36615/digitalfoodenergywatersystems.v2i2.731
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Farmers-Herders Conflict and Nigeria’s Quest for Food Security: The Imperative Need for Information Communications Technology. (2021). Journal of Digital Food, Energy & Water Systems, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.36615/digitalfoodenergywatersystems.v2i2.731