ENVIRONMENTAL CONFLICT BETWEEN FARMERS AND HERDSMEN AND ITS EFFECT ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN PLATEAU STATE

TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT The violent conflicts between sedentary farmers and pastoral herdsmen have become a recurring decimal in Nigeria’s drive to nationhood. It has assumed a grievous dimension in recent time thereby threatening peaceful coexistence. The research examines the environmental underpinnings of the conflict between farmers and herdsmen and its effect on socio-economic development in Plateau State. The research shows that environmental scarcity plays a prominent role in the conflict because it remains the major cause of the violent altercation between farmers and herdsmen. This environmental scarcity is in the form of limited grazing sites, farmland and fresh water. The research employs the Homer Dixon’s eco-violence theory in explaining the variables under study. The theory explains the relationship between environmental factors and violent conflict. The research also adopts the primary source of data collection which is qualitative in character base on the triangulation method. This methodology affords the research the opportunity to generate data from semi-structured interview, focus group discussion and observation of informants and conflict areas. The investigation shows that the nature and causes of the conflict is multifaceted, thereby assuming different dimensions which include; ethnic, religious, economic, political and environmental. The research further shows that the conflict has greatly affected the social and economic lives of the people. Socially, it has led to change in inter-group relations and mutual mistrust between famers and herdsmen. It has also affected the people’s standard of living, while the vulnerable groups which include women and children have suffered severely as a result of the conflict. The study also shows that the conflict have affected economic activities in the form of trading, markets and agricultural production. Livestock production like meat, dairy products, hides and skin and bones have also been affected. The research also shows that the conflicts have led to break down of law and order which culminates in destruction of lives and property and displacement of people which explains the humanitarian effect of the conflict. The research also investigates the various responses by the community, government and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) in finding solutions to the conflict. The research concludes that all stake holders must cooperate to frontally confront the menace of this recurrent farmers and herdsmen debacle in Plateau State by adhering to the recommendations of this study. In this regard, Progress can only be made when the most important stake holders in the conflict (farmers and herdsmen) are willing to sheath their sword, dialogue and make compromise on areas of conflicting interest and goal scarcity.      
Title Page--------- Approval Page-------- Certification--------- Dedication--------- Acknowledgement-------- Table of Contents-------- Abstract---------
CHAPTER ONE:INTRODUCTION 1.1Background to the Study------ 1.2Statement of the Problem------ 1.3Research Questions------- 1.4Objectives of the Study------ 1.5Significance of the Study------ 1.6Scope of the Study-------
CHAPTER TWO:LITERATURE REVIEW, THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK 2.1Theoretical Framework------ 2.1.1Eco-Violence Theory------ 2.2Conceptual Framework------ 2.2.1Pastoralism-------- 2.2.2Sedentary Crop Farming------ 2.2.3Environmental Conflict------ 2.2.4Socio-economic Development----- 2.3Review of Related Literatures and the Gap this Study Fills --
CHAPTER THREE:RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1Research Design------- 3.2Area of Study-------- 3.3Population of the Study and Sample Size---- 3.4Data Collection Method------ 3.4.1Triangulation Method------ 3.4.2Semi Structured Interview------ 3.4.3Focus Group Discussion------ 3.4.4Observation of Participants and Violent Conflict Areas-- 3.4.5Challenges Encountered and how these were Managed -- 3.5Data Analysis Process------- 3.6Ethical Consideration-------
CHAPTER FOUR:GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY AREA AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONFLICT IN PLATEAU STATE  4.1History of Plateau State------ 4.2Geographical Location and Ecology of Plateau State-- 4.3The People of Plateau State------ 4.4Agricultural Profile of Plateau State---- 4.5The Spread of the Fulani in Plateau State---- 4.6An Overview of Environmental Conflict in Plateau State --
CHAPTER FIVE:ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONFLICT BETWEEN FARMERS AND HERDSMEN IN PLATEAU STATE 5.1Origin of the Conflict between Farmers and Herdsmen in Plateau State- 5.2Kind and Nature of the Conflict between Farmers and Herdsmen - 5.3The Causes of the Conflict between Farmers and Herdsmen- 5.4Social and Economic Relationship between Farmers  and Herdsmen in Plateau State  ----- 5.4.1Origin of the Farmers and Herdsmen Habitation and  Relationship in Plateau State------ 5.4.2The Changing Relationship between Farmers and Herdsmen- 5.4.3Mutual Mistrust between Farmers and Herdsmen--- 5.5.The Prevalent Nature of Conflict between Farmers and Herdsmen- 5.6Humanitarian Effect of Conflict between Farmers and Herdsmen- 5.6.1Effects on Peaceful Coexistence, Security, Stability and  Lives of the People------- 5.6.2Displacement of People in the Community---- 5.7The Economic Effect of Farmers Herdsmen Conflict  in Plateau State------- 5.7.1The Effect on Commercial Activities like Trading, Markets,  Agricultural Productivity and Farming Activities--- 5.7.2Effect of the Conflict on Cattle Rustling and Killing of Cows- 5.7.3Effect of the Conflict on Livestock Production like Meat,  Dairy Products, Hides and Skin, and Bones ---- 5.8Social Effect of Conflict between Farmer and Herdsmen -- 5.8.1Effect of the Conflict on the Standard of Living of the People- 5.8.2Effect of the Conflict on Vulnerable Groups:  Women and Children------ 5.9Efforts and Responses to Curb the Spate of Farmers  Herdsmen Conflict ------- 5.9.1Community Response against Farmers Herdsmen Conflict-- 5.9.2Government Response on Farmers Herdsmen Conflict--- 5.9.3Efforts Government should Put in Place to Ensure Peaceful Coexistence- 5.9.4General Measures that should be Taken to Bring an  End to the Conflict -------
CHAPTER SIX:SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 6.1Summary of Findings------- 6.2Conclusions-------- 6.3Recommendation------- 6.4Limitation of the Study------ 6.5Suggestions for Further Research----- References Appendices  LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS