Livelihood and Conflict Dimension among Crop Farmers and Fulani Herdsmen in Yakurr Region of Cross River State

Abstract

This paper examines the negative approach of Nomads to crop farmers in the Yakurr region of Cross River State Nigeria, through the overgrazing of farmlands, contamination of streams and the harassment of female farmers which resulted to rape causing conflict in the study area. The work observes the inevitability of conflict and the inestimable values placed on economic resource which value have directly and indirectly defined the dimensions of most conflicts involving man since immemorial. Of all resources however, land has remained an over whelming source of conflict among user and individuals at varying level of thresholds. In Nigeria, conflict between farmers and Fulani herdsmen over the use of land and agricultural produce has become a threat to peace in most part of the country, particularly in the Guinea and Savanah regions of the country due to the intensity of production activities that are propelled by increasing demand for land for various purposes. The production potential of grassland and livelihood in the arid and semi arid region is constrained by low and variable rainfall. Therefore, there is a need for grazing cattle to access pasture resources across regions in order to ensure food security for the herds. In view of this, the paper recommends that, nomadic education and the mechanism tagged local development plans be adopted by extension agencies to minimize conflict in rural areas where grazing of cattle is inevitable.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n8p512