AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF HERDERS- CROP FARMERS CONFLICT ON FOOD PRODUCTION IN MBADWEM COUNCIL WARD, GUMA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE

ABSTRACT The study assessed the effects of herders – crops farmers conflict on food production in Mbadwem, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. Four objectives guided the study: to investigate the causes of the herders – farmers crisis in the study area; to assess the agricultural system practiced in the study area; to ascertain the types of crops produced in the study area and to determine the level of destruction posed on crops in the Study Area. The research design adopted in the study was the survey design. Data was collected using direct field observations and structured questionnaire. The data collected was analyzed using simple statistical tools such as, frequencies and tables. The result showed that the major causes of herders-crops farmers conflict in Mbadwem council ward are; encroachment into farm lands by herdsmen, poor security, collapse of traditional institutions, among others. It was found out that before the invasion of herdsmen in the study area, everything was stabilized but with the advent of this crisis, their activities such as killing, burning of houses had destabilized farming and other economic activities in the study area. The study concluded that since the incessant attacks caused by the Fulani herdsmen have posed very serious threat to agricultural production and other socio-economic activities in the study area resulting to drastic decline in food production, income levels of the people, indebtedness, loss of property and forceful relocation of victims and their family members, more efforts should be made to improve the poor security situation in the study area. The Government of Benue should also put in place measures that will adequately address the issues by introducing internal security, people should also avoid posting security information on face book which are capable of raising tension which can also cause crisis, and that the anti-open grazing law by Benue state government be strengthened and implemented.