Farmer-Herder Conflict Exploring Governance of Security in Ondo State

Abstract

Conflict between farmers and herders is a major problem which has displaced indigenous agrarians from farming occupation across Nigeria. It is competition of right to farming and right to open grazing. Against this background, this study mainly investigated security governance covering surveillance of herding grazing in Ondo state. The study adopted cross-sectional survey design and 300 respondents, participated using accidental sampling technique since it is exploratory study. Data were collected and analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. At the level of demographic characteristics, 97.7% were farmers and specialised in cropping (67.9%) and plantations (30.2%) farming. At the level of farm-output, 89.9% rated high and 99.7% derived livelihood from farming. At the level of farm-input, 89.9% relied on personal investment: cost of investment was double digits of million naira. At the level of security, 95.9% attested open grazing of herders was major threat to farming; 69.9% were displaced from farming by violent activities of herders; 89.9% attested, herders were armed with weapons; and 88.8% expressed consistent fear at the encounter of herders on farm land. At the level of government response, police patrol was deployed to check assaults of herders and this was visible in the day-time patrol. Whereas 98.9% revealed that night grazing was prevalent and destructive to farm crops and plantations, police patrol was visible in day-time and excluded agriculture zones. Farmers in the study lamented destructive activities of herders which largely reduced farm yields, displaced farmers and depleted income for survival. Governance of security covering agriculture zone should be holistic in formal and informal approach.