Assessment of Causes and Effects of Farmers-herdsmen Clashes in Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract This study assessed the causes and effects of clashes between farmers and herdsmen in Taraba State, Nigeria. A total of 236 respondents, (120 farmers) and (116 herders) were selected through purposive and multi-stage random sampling methods respectively. Descriptive statistics and logistics regression model were used in the analysis of data. The findings revealed that nine variables were identified as causes of clashes between herdsmen and farmers in Taraba State, out of which eight were statistically significant at 0.05% level of significance. The findings of the study also revealed that land encroachment on cattle routes, crops damage by animals, inadequate grazing reserves, lack of access to water points, killing of stray animals, indiscriminate bush burning, perceived hatred and change in climatic conditions with the exception of pollution of water points were found to be positively significant at 5% level of significance. This signifies that increase in the variables would lead to increase of clashes between them. The study also indicates that five variables that were significant at 5% level of significance were the factors responsible for the causes of the clashes/conflict in the study area. These are land encroachment on cattle routes, crop damage by cattle, inadequate grazing reserves, lack of access to water and indiscriminate bush burning. Avoidance of these causative factors will enhance cordial relationship between farmers and herdsmen and minimize conflicts in future in the study area.