Volume : 8, Issue : 11, NOV 2022

IMPACT OF GRAZING LIVESTOCK ON WATER SOURCES: A SOURCE OF FARMERS-HERDERS CONFLICT IN THE NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

AKINTOBI O.S, AJAH JULIUS

Abstract

Water is an essential nutrient for humans and animals, it is required for the regulation of body temperature, as well as for growth, reproduction, lactation, digestion, metabolism, excretion, hydrolysis of nutrients, transport of nutrients and waste, joint lubrication plus many other functions. Hence, access to water is key for grazing livestock productivity and survival. Against this backdrop, the study evaluated the impact of grazing livestock on water sources as a source of farmers-herders clash in north centre Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling technique was adopted for sample selection while questionnaires were used for data collection. A total of 1,440 farmers were randomly interviewed in four States (Plateau, FCT, Niger and Kwara). Data were analyzed using two-way mixed factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) while mean separation was done at 5% probability level. The results indicated that the impact of grazing livestock significantly depended on the water source type (Stream, river, Pond, dam, spring, well, borehole, tap) location in term of state and the interaction effect of water source type and location (state). The result revealed that grazing impact is felt more at the natural sources of water (Stream, river) than the technical source of water (borehole, tap). The result showed majority of the farmers preferred religious and community union leaders to act as an agent of conflict resolution. To avert farmers-herders clash due to competition for forage and water points. Majority of the respondents asserted that if there are mapped out grazing zones for the herders that would prevent any conflicts as herders will follow the assigned grazing routes for pastures and water points. The study recommends that the government involves the local leaders in dispute management programs and redesign the grazing route with proper awareness to the community farmers in order to avoid encroaching into the grazing routes.

Keywords

WATER SOURCES, CONFLICT, HERDERS, FARMERS, GRAZING, NIGERIA

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