Impact of the Farmers and Herdsmen Conflict on Food Security; Focus on Taraba State

One of the greatest security challenges in Nigeria in recent time is the increasing conflicts between crop farmers and herders. Today, the conflict has spread over wide geographical areas in Nigeria and Taraba State in particular. Taraba state is one of the state in Nigeria that have been greatly affected by conflict between farmers and herders. It is against this background that this study was carried out to examine the extent to which conflicts between farmers and herders affect food production, food availability, food stability, food utilization in Taraba state. The study adopted survey research method and sampled 285 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 carried out in the state. 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 used to test the hypotheses. The study findings revealed that the increasing incidence of the farmers herders conflicts has led to widespread distribution of food stuff, lives and properties and entrenched atmosphere of fair and insecurity in the rural communities. This has greatly affected crop farming and grazing activities, resulting in low productivity, food instability, low food utilization, food inaccessibility and inadequate availability of food in Taraba state. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others the need to assist farmers with zero interest credit facilities to boost production and strengthen ties between herders and farming communities to improve security in rural farming areas.