Fulani herdsmen's pastoral activities, conflict and conflict management strategies in Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Pastoral activities of the Fulani nomads in Ibarapa East Local Government Area (LGA) of Oyo state Nigeria had come with some challenges over the years of interacting with their host community. This study was aimed at determining the effects of nomadic farming in the study area attendant conflicts and conflict management strategies adopted by the various stake holders. A total of 140 questionnaires and interview schedules were administered in the study area 100 for crop farmers as they were most affected by pastoral activities of the Fulani nomads 20 for nomads and 10 each for community leaders and law enforcement agents. A multi stage sampling method was adopted for crop farmers. In stage 1 the study area was divided into 2 quarters; stage 2 had  each quarter divided into 5 units while10 questionnaires were purposively administered to crop farmers in stage 3. Also random sampling of the nomads was conducted in which 20 interview  schedules were administered. The data was processed and  subjected to descriptive analysis using frequency count and simple percentage. The results obtained showed that the majority (62 and 100) %) of crop farmers and nomads respectively were  male (54 and 65) % of crop farmers and nomads respectively were within age  bracket of 20 – 39 years while (62 and 75) %.) of crop farmers and nomads  respectively had less than 20 years of farming experience Also the results showed that problems encountered by the crop farmers were crop destruction (22.89 %) and sexual harassment (20.65 %) while cattle theft (69.57 %) and language barrier (30.43 %) were those of the nomads. Conflicts were resolved by payment of  compensation by offending nomads (50.00 %) while crop farmers reported to concerned authorities (63.33 %) and mediation by community leaders and law enforcement. Concerning conflict prevention majority of the crop farmers (40.85%) suggested provision of grazing reserves by government while the nomads (53.12%) suggested fencing of crop farms by farmers. Value orientation on peaceful  coexistence of the crop farmers and Fulani pastoralists was recommended.

Key words: nomadic, crop farming, conflicts, conflict management