Land use conflict between crop and livestock producers in the Guinea Savannah Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

The paper examines the implications of property rights on land use conflict resolution between crop farmers and nomads in the guinea savannah zone of Nigeria and the methods of resolving the conflicts. Primary data were obtained from 200 randomly selected crop farmers and 75 nomadic Fulani's in four states within the zone, together with 25 key informants. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Highest levels of conflicts were recorded during the dry season (October-March) when mobile herds migrate into the zone in search of pasture and water. Lack of official grazing routes caused the mobile herds to trespass on cultivated lands where growing or unharvested mature crops stood Eight percent (8%) of past conflicts were perceived by the respondents as severe, involving use of dangerous weapons, loss of cattle and human lives. Increased social and economic interaction in form of joint celebration of religious and social festival (by 40% of nomads) with the local people and trade in cattle products and staple food items were found to be evolving over the local people and trade users. The study recommends the establishment of grazing routes within the zone while efforts should be made to enable the traditional institutions to function along side with legislation in resolving land use conflicts.

Keywords: Conflict, land, crop, livestock, farmers, savannah