Causes behind Conflicts between Herders and Farmers in Nigeria, and Perceived Efficiency of Institutions in Managing the Conflicts
Okere, Nnanna (2022)
2022
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2022080853374
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2022080853374
Tiivistelmä
Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate perceived causes behind conflicts between herders and farmers in Nigeria, and perceived efficiency of institutions in managing the said conflicts.
Method: A questionnaire was completed by 200 respondents (87 women, 113 men) in Nigeria. The mean age was 33.3 years (SD = 9.7) for women, and 37.9 (SD = 13.0) for men. The respondents belonged to three ethnic groups: Hausa 29 %, Igbo 46 %, and Yoruba 25 %. A questionnaire was constructed for the study.
Results: Crops damaged by cattle, land encroachment, and the killing of stray cattle were the main perceived reasons behind conflicts between herders and farmers. No significant differences were found between opinions of herders, farmers, traders, or teachers. The Yoruba scored higher than the other groups on perceived causes behind the conflicts, with one exception. The Hausa scored highest on the land use policy that vested control of land to government authorities as a cause behind conflicts. The traditional rulers were considered the most efficient in managing conflicts, followed by local governmental committees, courts, and the police. No significant differences were found regarding the perceived efficiency of the institutions between responses of herders, farmers, traders, or teachers.
Conclusions: The results indicate that the prevailing clashes between farmers and herdsmen in many parts of Nigeria have been attributed to the destruction of farmlands by cattle, which are mostly owned by the herdsmen.
Key Words: perceived causes behind conflicts between herders and farmers in Nigeria, perceived efficiency of institutions in managing the conflicts, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba
Method: A questionnaire was completed by 200 respondents (87 women, 113 men) in Nigeria. The mean age was 33.3 years (SD = 9.7) for women, and 37.9 (SD = 13.0) for men. The respondents belonged to three ethnic groups: Hausa 29 %, Igbo 46 %, and Yoruba 25 %. A questionnaire was constructed for the study.
Results: Crops damaged by cattle, land encroachment, and the killing of stray cattle were the main perceived reasons behind conflicts between herders and farmers. No significant differences were found between opinions of herders, farmers, traders, or teachers. The Yoruba scored higher than the other groups on perceived causes behind the conflicts, with one exception. The Hausa scored highest on the land use policy that vested control of land to government authorities as a cause behind conflicts. The traditional rulers were considered the most efficient in managing conflicts, followed by local governmental committees, courts, and the police. No significant differences were found regarding the perceived efficiency of the institutions between responses of herders, farmers, traders, or teachers.
Conclusions: The results indicate that the prevailing clashes between farmers and herdsmen in many parts of Nigeria have been attributed to the destruction of farmlands by cattle, which are mostly owned by the herdsmen.
Key Words: perceived causes behind conflicts between herders and farmers in Nigeria, perceived efficiency of institutions in managing the conflicts, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba
Kokoelmat
- 515 Psykologia [263]