Coping strategy among crop and livestock farmers in agrarian community of Fashola, Oyo state, Nigeria

Abstract

Conflicts among crop farmers and herdsmen are rampant in farming communities of Nigeria, affecting food security and sustainable livelihood of the country. A study assessing the coping strategies of crop and livestock farmers in the agrarian community of Fashola Agriculture Development Project (ADP) cluster, Oyo, Oyo state was conducted. A total of 200 crop and livestock farmers from 14 villages were randomly selected using an open-ended questionnaire to elicit information. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that both livestock and crop farmers were predominantly male (100%), married (100%), modal age (21-30) and >50years of age for both livestock and crop farmers, respectively. The average household size of the pastoralists and crop farmers ranged between 6 and 10. The modal herd size of livestock farmers ranged from 46 to 65. The predominant breed of cattle reared was White Fulani by 98% of the pastoralists and grazing (100%) was the dry season feeding method. Major challenges encountered by the pastoralists were cattle poisoning (85%) and insufficient feed in dry season (100%). Majority (100%) of crop farmers reported farm invasion by animals and reduction in crop yield (100%). The major strategy adopted for peaceful co-existence by crop farmers was tolerance (65%) and compensation (52%) by the pastoralists. It can be concluded that the crop and livestock farmers in Fashola community have adopted measures to resolve the internal crop-livestock conflicts amongst them.

Keywords: Cattle invasion; Conflicts; Herd composition; Pastoralist; Peaceful co-existence