ABSTRACT
The
study is aimed at investigating cattle ranching as a panacea to herdsmen and
farmer crises in Nigeria with special reference to Akure South Local Government
Area of Ondo state. The study examined role of cattle ranching in combating the herdsmen/farmers crises. Also
the study determine the causes of Fulani Herdsmen and farmers clashes
in Nigeria and the study examine the economic effects of the menace of Fulani –
Herdsmen in Nigeria.
In view of these, four research
questions were formulated. This study was a descriptive research of survey
type. 265 respondents which comprises of 250 farmers and 10 fulani herdsmen were
selected for the study using simple random sampling technique. A well
structured questionnaire was used for data collection and the data were
analyzed using mean and simple percentage, whilechi-square t at 0.05 level of
significance was use to analyzed the hypothesis generated for the study. The
study revealed that cattle
ranching help to restrict the movement of cattle ranching in Ondo State. Also
the study revealed that cattle ranches will reduce the crises between the
farmers and the Fulani herdsmen in the state Based on the result, the study
recommended that representatives
of the host communities and Fulani herdsmen should be conveyed under a public
forum and involved in the decision making and permitted to take part actively
in the planning procedure of restoring peace to most of the affected
communities. Also Participatory planning process that involves all stakeholders
(herdsmen and farmers) in the dispute resolution mechanism should be adopted. Ranching
method of cattle rearing should be adopted at rearing location across the country while the herdsmen should be given
needed training for effective and efficient management of the ranching.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgements iv
Abstract vi
Table of contents vii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background to the Study 1
1.2
Statement of the Problem 2
1.3
Objective
of the Study 9
1.4
Research Questions 10
1.5
Research hypotheses 11
1.6
Significance of the study 11
1.7
Scope of the study 12
1.8
Limitations to the study 12
1.9
Operational definition of terms 13
1.10
Organization of the study 13
2.0 CHAPTER TWO: LITRATURE
REVIEW AND
THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK
2.1 Conceptual framework 15
2.2 Concept of ranches 15
2.3 Nigerian
Herdsmen and Farmer Crises 19
2.4 Causes
of Fulani Conflict with other Farmers 22
2.5 Approach
in Reducing the conflict /Clashes between Herdsmen
and the farmer
24
2.6 Effect
of open Grazing on farm Produce 26
2.7 Empirical
work on the research work 29
2.8 Theoretical
framework 38
3.0 CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction 48
3.2 Research
Design 48
3.3 Sources
of data 49
3.4 Study
Area 49
3.5 Population
of the study 49
3.6 Sampling
Techniques and sample size 50
3.7 Research
instrument 52
3.8 Validation
of research instrument 52
3.9 Methods
of data analysis 52
4.0 CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS
4.1 Analysis
of research questions 53
4.2 Test
of hypotheses 58
4.3 Discussion
of Results 60
5.0 CHAPTER
FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1
Summary 62
5.2 Conclusion
63
5.3 Recommendations 64
References 65
Appendix 70
CHAPTER ONE
1.0
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background to the Study
The violent crises between
Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Ondo is
not a strange phenomenon in Nigeria; it
is a phenomenon that has been in existence for decades which have resulted in the extensive loss of
lives and property. The constant crises have
threatened the security of the State, reduced its economic productivity,
and deepened food crisis in the state. There has been crises between the herdsmen and farmers in Ondo state and other part of Nigeria which
has led to the loss of dozens of lives and properties in the state. The
conflict of interest between the herdsmen and the farmers on open grazing can
be said to be the architect of this conflict. Many stakeholders in the state believe that establishment of cattle
ranching is the solution to this precarious situation. There has been fierce
debate as the Federal Government, which earlier promoted the idea of cattle
ranch, opted for ‘cattle colonies’ leaving many people to ask what cattle
colony is. The introduction of cattle
colonies came following the recent tension generated by the attack in ilado
village in Akure North local Government area of Ondo state. Furthermore,
Colonies and ranches are the same thing in many ways except that a colony is
bigger that a ranch; a colony is a biological expression for any species of
animals whether by nature or by human design that are found in a large
community sharing the same terrain, such as bee colonies in certain
areas.
Establishment of ranches and
the movement of beef instead of cattle have been identified by stakeholders as
ways to end the incessant clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the
country. Over the years there have been uncountable clashes between herdsmen
and farmers in Ondo state, and other part of the country which have resulted to
loss of lives and properties with several others being displaced from their
homes. The clashes are fast becoming unbecoming, and a major scourge
confronting the nation which is begging for urgent intervention of the Federal
Government.
Over the last decade, reporting of farmer-herder violence has increased
exponentially. Violence between Fulani herdsmen and farmers is one of Nigeria’s
most persistent security problems and has left thousands of people dead in recent decades. The largest spike in
reporting, occurring between 2013 and 2014, may be as a result of an increased
number of incidents, increased awareness on the issue, or both. It may likewise
be attributed to the 2014 presidential elections and the increased Boko Haram
activity during this period. In any case, the increasing number of articles
covering this issue signifies the growing urgency of this crisis (Blench,
2010).
The prevalence of crises in the country has become a major concern for
the well meaning Nigerians considering the impact on the peace, security as
well as the economy of the nation. Destruction of lives and properties has
almost become an everyday affair. These happenings have created a fearful atmosphere
that discourages investors both domestic and foreign. By and large the economy
of the nation is threatened. In explaining the political situation in the
country; three terms need to be clarified. They include: crises, crises and
violence. A crisis is the aftermath of crises and violence.
Farmer-herder
crises in Nigeria occur as a result of resource scarcity; there exists a
growing scarcity of arable land and water sources that are equally essential to
sustain crop cultivation and cattle herds. Farmers encroach on grazing routes,
and have expropriated land designated to grazing reserves, while herders often
destroy crops, pollute water sources and trespass on farms to feed their
cattle. This is further exacerbated by the growing population of farmers,
herders and their herds, increasing scarcity of arable land due to droughts,
impending desertification of the sahel-savannah, land degradation, and cultural
differences among ethnic groups that predominantly farm or graze cattle (Fiki
& Lee,2005).
Many Nigerians
however attribute the violence to ethnic incompatibility. Nigerians have become
accustomed to headlines that read, “Fulani herdsmen attack Guma and Logo and120
persons were killed. As Nigerians, we are also familiar with reports of
incessant “clashes between the majority Muslim north and Christian south.”
Although these narratives are not completely false, as evidenced by the fact
that a majority of clashes occur in the most diverse middle belt states,
Plateau, Taraba, Ekiti, Kogi and Benue, and most expecially Ondo State which is
my case study, they are oversimplified narratives of deeper
ssues,
such as increased insecurity following the emergence of Boko Haram, increased
access to arms and automatic weapons, and also the exploitation of farmer-herder
violence by Boko Haram terrorists (Blench & Dendo, 2003 and Rashid, 2012).
The Fulani indisputably
represent a significant component of the Nigerian economy. They constitute the
major breeders of cattle, the main source of meat, the most available and cheap
source of animal proteins consumed by Nigerians. The Fulani own over 90% of the
nation’s livestock population which accounts for one-third of agricultural GDP
and 3.2% of the nation’s GDP (Eniola, 2007). Furthermore, the contribution of
the Fulani to the local food chain and national food security cannot be
overstressed. The Fulani, with their dominance in the Sahel region, are the
best known and most numerous of all the pastoral groups in Nigeria. The
traditional and unique Fulani encampment (ruga) consisting of temporary
structures made of stalks, closely knit family members and livestock is the
natural habitat of the orthodox Fulbe settlement (Eniola, 2007) (Eniola, 2007).
As the state cannot regulate the mutual coexistence of its citizens in the harmonious
sharing of the competed resources, the parties may have to resolve to struggle
among themselves with no retreat, no surrender and for the survival of the
fittest. The failure of the state, for example to resolve the ‘settler/
‘indigene’ identity and the inherent struggles over resources can be adduced to
have brought dangerous dimensions of economic and political elements in the
Fulani pastoralists and farmers’ conflicts (Fiki and Lee. 2014). Issues
bordering on local community security, safety and development are paramount in
the enhancement of governance and increase or decrease in agitation for control
of resources as well as encroachment of the rights of others. All these have
implications for survival and struggles between or amongst communities. Again,
local resistance to state policies is central in resource-use through
strengthening of community capacity to manage resources and deal with
conflicts. Hence, security is a framework for intervention and conflicts. Since
insecurity gives ways to conspiracy, conflicts are inevitable. The object of
security is to primarily advance the well-being and possessions of the persons
involved; while the survival of the state is secondary. In other words, when
the character and nature of the state do not seem to protect the security of
the citizens, their freedom and choices completely shift away from the state to
individuals or groups as the foci of security. The expansion of Fulbe
pastoralism into Nigeria is unknown. It is suggested that Fulbe began to settle
on the plains of Bauchi Emirate transcending onto the grassland of the Jos
Plateau (Blench, 2010). Conflicts between pastoralists and farmers have existed
since the beginnings of agriculture and increased or decreased in intensity and
frequency depending on economic, environmental and other factors. For example,
increases in the herd sizes, due to improved conditions of the cattle,
compelled the pastoralists to seek for more pastures beyond their limited
range. Climate change has constituted a great threat by putting great pressures
on the land and thus provoking conflicts between them. However, improvements in
human health and population have enhanced a much greater pressure on land.
Since the 1980s therefore, there has been a marked expansion of cultivation of
the fadama (reverine and valley-bottom) areas. This means that both the farmers
and pastoralists have engaged in fierce struggles for access to such valuable
lands which, more often than not, result in increased conflicts and violence.
The Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, said establishment of ranches was the only
solution to the recurring clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the country.
Ayatse (2018) is of the
opinion that regulating the movement of the herdsmen would be difficult, adding
that it was only practicable on paper. Ayatse said that the country stood to
benefit from the introduction of ranches as jobs would be created for
Nigerians. He said that ranching would not stop free movement of herdsmen
especially if they were passing through a particular state. “If you allow free
movement without control, you put everybody at risk and this is what we are
seeing in Benue, ranching is part of the control,“he said. The Tor Tiv said
that creating ranches did not go against the ECOWAS Treaty of free movement of
persons in the sub-region as it was being thought. He said that a committee had
been constituted in conjunction with the police in his domain, to identify the
“bad eggs” and hand them over to the police. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
reports that the Ondo House of Assembly had recently passed a Bill prohibiting
open grazing and allowing the establishment of ranches in the state. The bill
is entitled: “Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017’’
According to Okereke (2012) and Bello (2013), the conflicts in most part
of Nigeria especially the Fulani herdsmen and farmers clash are largely
uncalled for. Farmers can no longer farm peacefully because of Fulani herdsmen.
These Fulani herdsmen and farmers clash have pitched Christians and Muslims
against each other. Recent studies conducted by Okereke (2012) and Kasarachi
(2016) have shown that, serious conflict erupt between Fulani herdsmen and
farmers leading to loss of lives, valuable properties and destruction of vast
expanse of arable agriculturalfarmlands thereby posing serious threat to food
security since farmers for fear of attack could no longer go to farm and
harvest their farm produce. The latest attacks by Fulani herdsmen is on the
upsurge, with the most latest attacks in February 2018 happening in Ondo State,
Benue State, Taraba State, Nassarawa State and few cases of attack in other
states.
In recent times, the killings recorded by Fulani herdsmen and farmers
clash has rampaged most communities displacing them of their farmlands and loss
of their major source of livelihood. This is becoming unbearable with the
Fulani herdsmen always having their ways leaving the farmers at their mercy.
Herdsmen attribute the roots of the crisis to religious differences resulting
in the killing of their cows while the farmers see the herdsmen as a threat to
their crops and agricultural produce since the herdsmen allow their cows to
feed on the farmer crops.
Despite the importance of agricultural sector
to both Nigerian and Ondo economy, its
sustainability and development remains one of the biggest challenges. The
challenges seem to be predicated on the rampant cases of communal conflicts
between herdsmen and farmers (Ani, Chikaire, Ogueri and Arusha 2015). It is
therefore not unrealistic to suggest that these communal conflicts are the bane
of agricultural development. Agricultural development entails increase in
agricultural output with corresponding economic benefit enjoyed by farmers from
the resulting output. It is however difficult to achieve this as conflicts
between grazers and farmers conflicts seem to cut down food production and
supply while farmers become vulnerable to loss economically from the sale these
crops (FAO, 2002; WFP 2001).
Communal conflicts between Fulani grazers and farmers have become one of
the most a serious threat to agricultural development in ondo state, yet it
appears to be ignored plans for agricultural development by authorities., there
is emphasis on the need to ensure agricultural development by listing factors
derailing development of agriculture in the state, such as reliance of
traditional methods of farming, poverty and youth neglect of agriculture and
reversal of the situation by introducing modern agriculture, reducing poverty
and involvement of more youth in agricultural sectors.
1.2 Statement of the problem
Herdsmen and farmers crisis in Ondo State have
culminated into loss of lives and properties. Such conflict has created more
fears in the mind of the farmers which invariably result to insufficient farm
produce due to the abandonment of farms by the local farmers in Ondo State.
Thus there is need to study factors that are associated with a practical
solution to herdsmen and farmer crises.
For
the forgoing background to the study, it is evidence that cattle ranching has
been found to be an important variable to curb farmer’s and herdsmen
crises. While some scholar had reported
the relationship of the variable as panacea to the cries in developed
countries, so far no study have to have developed the best solution which
explains how the crises can be significantly curbed
Investigations
by scholars in Nigeria on the panacea to herdsmen farmer crises have focus on a
fostered security and national conference to deepening unity among the
concerned group. The central problem of
the study is therefore to develop a comprehensive way through which cattle ranching can be use to curb herdsmen
and farmer crises in Ondo State. Based
on the above problem, the study seek to investigate cattle ranching as a
panacea to herdsmen and farmers crises in Ondo State.
1.3 Objectives
of the Study
The main objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy of cattle ranching as
a panacea to herdsmen and farmers crises in Nigeria; but to aid the successful
completion of the study, the researcher will intend to achieve the following specific
objective;
i)
to ascertain the
role of cattle ranching in combatting the herdsmen/farmers crises in Ondo state
ii)
to determine the causes of Fulani Herdsmen and
farmers clashes in Nigeria
iii) to examine the effect of open crazing on farm
produce in Ondo state
iv) to find out
the economic effects of the menace of Fulani – Herdsmen in Nigeria
1.4 Research
Questions
i)
Does cattle
ranching help in combating the herdsmen/ farmers cries in Ondo State
ii)
what are the causes of Fulani Herdsmen and farmers clashes in Nigeria?
iii) To what extent do ranching advantageous over
open grazing in cattle production?
iv) Is there any economic effects of Fulani - farmer crises in Ondo State?
1.5 Research
Hypotheses
To aid the effective
completion of the study, the following null hypotheses will be formulated by
the researcher;
Ho1: Cattle ranching do not result in combatting
herdsmen /farmers crisis in Ondo State
Ho2: There is no significant difference between the causes of Fulani Herdsmen and farmers clashes
in Nigeria
Ho3: There is no significant difference between open crazing on farm produce in Ondo state
Ho4: There is no significant difference on the
economic effect of herdsmen and farmer crises in Ondo State
1.6 Significance
of the Study
It is believed that at the
completion of the study, the findings will be of great importance to the house
committee on agriculture and federal ministry of agriculture as the study seek
to enumerate the numerous benefit of cattle ranching over open grazing as this
will help in policy formation, the study will also be of importance to the
security operative as the findings of the study will help them strategize to
curb the menace of herdsmen farmers conflict in Benue state, the study will
also be useful to researchers who intend to embark on a study in a similar
topic as the study will serve as a reference point to further studies. Finally,
the study will be of great importance to reporters, academia’s, students,
teachers and the general public as the study will add to the pool of existing
literature and also contribute to bank of knowledge in the subject matter.
1.7 Scope
of the Study
This study is limited to the impact of cattle ranches as a solution to herdsmen
and farmers crises in Ondo State. The study focuses on farmers and Fulani
herdsmen in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State.
1.8 Limitations
to the study
During
the course of carrying out this research, the researcher finds it difficult to
access the Fulani herdsmen in Akure South for interview. As a result of this
problem, the researcher looks for a learned Fulani man who accompanied the
researcher to Fulani herdsmen settlement for the interview. Also the research also visit the farmers who
reside in Akure South to administer the questionnaire to them with the help of
a learned farmer.
Also
there is problem of bias as each
respondent has to answer the question been asked through their cultural
disposition and belief which subsequently render our research unconstructive
and partial. The researcher was able to
overcome their bias through psychological corrections of those biases.
1.9 Operational
Definition of Terms
Cattle
: Cattles otherwise referred to as cows
are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of
the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of
the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively
as Bos Taurus
Ranch:
A ranch is an area of land, including various
structures, given primarily to the practice of ranching, the practice of
raising grazing livestock such as cattle or sheep for meat or wool.
Crisis:
A crisis is any event that is going to lead
to an unstable and dangerous situation affecting an individual, group,
community, or whole society
1.10 Organization
of the Study
This
research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows
Chapter
one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the background of the
study, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses,
significance of the study, scope and limitations to the study, definition of
terms and organization of chapters. Chapter two highlights the review of
related literature and theoretical
framework. Chapter three deals with research design and methodology adopted in
the study.
Chapter
four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of
findings. Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations
made of the study.
