Abstract:

ABSTRACT One major problem confronting the national peace of Nigeria today is the manifestation of conflicts between farmers and herders in different dimensions across the country. The conflict has spread over wide geographical areas in Nigeria and Taraba State in particular. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the impact of farmers and herders’ conflicts on food production, food availability, food stability, food utilization in Taraba state. Three objectives, three research questions and three hypotheses we adopted to guide this study. The study utilized the survey research method and sampled 385 respondents using multi stage sampling technique. The data for this study was obtained from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data was generated from field survey using a structured questionnaire. The study utilized data and infrastructure from study multiple policy documents in State Ministry of Agriculture, Jalingo. Data generated from the field was complemented by extensive review on the farmer herders conflicts. The data collected were analyzed using p table and percentage and Pearson Correlation was used to test the hypotheses. The study findings revealed that there exists a significant relationship between farmers and herdsmen conflicts, and food stability problems in Taraba State, also there is significant relationship between farmers and herdsmen conflicts, and food availability in Taraba State, amongst others. The study concluded that herdsmen do not recognize the existence of any boundary in terms of their grazing coming in hundreds, usually fully armed with modern guns, and they move with thousands of cattle sparing no farm. Thus, government should establish sustainable cattle ranching in different parts of Taraba states and to encourage medium technique in cattle rearing to curb the menace of farmers and herders clashes.