INTERROGATING THE IMPACT OF FARMERS-HERDER CONFLICTS ON THE LIVELIHOODS OF FARMERS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Farmers-herder conflicts in Kaduna State, Nigeria, have emerged as a pressing and multifaceted issue, inflicting severe consequences on the livelihoods of the farming communities within the State. The objective of the study is to interrogate the impact of farmers-herder conflicts on the livelihood of farmers in Kaduna state of Nigeria. The study was based on Marxist political economy theory. The study adopted a qualitative method and employed phenomenological approach using primary and secondary data to explain Farmers-herder conflicts in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Key Informant Interviews (KII) were used for data collection, KIIs were conducted with ten (10) stakeholders. The collated data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study reveal a complex interplay of factors contributing to the emergence and persistence of farmers-herder conflicts in Kaduna State. It also shows that the findings of the study underscore the profound economic impact of farmers-herder conflicts on farming communities in Kaduna State as farmers have experienced significant economic losses stemming from crop destruction, livestock theft, and property damage during clashes with herders. The study therefore recommends that Nigeria government should as a matter of urgency ensure that law enforcement measures are implemented with sensitivity to the underlying causes of conflicts, avoiding actions that may exacerbate tensions and mistrust between communities by supporting community-based peace committees composed of representatives from farming and herding communities to promote understanding, collaboration, and localized conflict resolution efforts.