A Review on the Effects of Farmers-Herders Clash in the Agricultural Sector of Nigeria

This paper reviewed the effects of farmers-herders clash in the agricultural sector of Nigeria. The specific objectives were to identify the causes of farmers-herders clash, examine the socio-economic effects of farmers-herders clash, examine the implication of farmers- herders clash on national development and identify coping strategies to mediate/mitigate future clash in Nigeria. The result reveals that the causes of herders-farmers conflict in Nigeria are destruction of crops by cattle, cattle rustling/killing, ethnic and religious inclination, effects of climate change, government negligence and inactions. Also, findings revealed that the socio-economic consequences of conflicts between herders and farmers include loss of lives (both human and livestock), property destruction, population displacement, and extensive damage to farmlands and crops. To address these challenges, several mitigation and mediation strategies, such as raising awareness about climate change, promoting symbiotic farming initiatives, fostering inter-religious dialogue, and implementing structured grazing land policies.  The review emphasized the critical need for inclusive stakeholder engagement and the importance of peaceful coexistence as key measures to reduce farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria. The paper recommended that government should establish designated grazing reserves for nomadic herders, enforce a registration system, and introduce taxation to enhance monitoring and conflict resolution efforts.