Assessment of Measures in Resolving Incessant Herdsmen Arable Crop Farmers’ Conflicts among Farmers in Plateau and Taraba States, Nigeria

This study assessed the measures in resolving incessant herdsmen-arable crop farmers’ conflicts on rural and agricultural development among farmers in Plateau and Taraba States, Nigeria. The population of this study consisted of arable crop farmers in Taraba and Plateau States. Stratified, purposive, and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 252 respondents as the sample size. Data for the study were collected from primary sources with the use of structured questionnaires and were analyzed with the use of inferential statistics such as Kruskal-Wallis. The Kruskal-Wallis (H) test revealed that there was a significant difference (P>0.05) between Plateau and Taraba States in terms of H. Cal. (27.5) > X2 Tab (11.1) at 0.05 level of probability, hence the null hypothesis was rejected, and the alternative hypothesis was accepted. It was concluded that each State put in place different measures in resolving incessant herdsmen-arable crop farmers’ conflicts on rural and agricultural development. In Plateau State, the adoption of ranching (69), anti-open grazing law (68), government intervention (66), payment of compensation to farmers (62), and educating parties involved (60). In Taraba State, it was found that anti-open grazing law (77), respect for culture and tradition (75.5), adoption of ranching (75.5), personal intervention with village heads and heads of herdsmen (73), dialogue with the parties involved (73) were the most serious measures needed to put in place to resolving herdsmen-arable crop farmers’ conflicts. The study, therefore, recommended that there should be good government policy on open grazing, there should be control of the immigration of foreign Fulanis into Nigeria, ranching should be encouraged, and the Land Use Act policy should be fully implemented.