Climate-Induced Farmer–Herder Conflicts and Agricultural Disruption: Impacts on Farming Activities in Benue State, Nigeria 2015-2024

Farmer–herder conflicts associated with climate variability pose significant challenges to agricultural production and rural livelihoods in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. This study examines the impacts of these conflicts on farming activities in Benue State between 2015 and 2024. A mixed-methods research approach using a convergent parallel design was adopted, drawing on questionnaire responses from 319 respondents across five Local Government Areas: Guma, Logo, Agatu, Katsina-Ala, and Gwer West and 28 semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were examined thematically. The findings indicate substantial perceived disruption to agricultural activities: 87.8% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that conflicts had destroyed crops and farmlands, 84.7% associated the conflicts with the abandonment of fertile land, 86.2% perceived reduced food production, and 83.1% reported that insecurity prevented farmers from cultivating during planting seasons. Interview accounts further highlighted farm losses, displacement, restricted movement, declining intercommunity trade, and weakened traditional conflict-resolution mechanisms. Interpreted through Environmental Scarcity Theory and Human Ecology Theory, the findings suggest that climate-related resource pressures, interacting with insecurity and institutional weaknesses, can undermine agricultural production and farming livelihoods. The study recommends participatory land-use planning, support for climate-resilient agriculture, accessible compensation and insurance mechanisms, strengthened community security, and inclusive conflict-resolution arrangements to reduce agricultural disruption and improve livelihood security in Benue State.