AN ANALYSIS OF THE DRIVERS AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF FARMER-HERDER CONFLICT IN BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigates the persistent conflict between farmers and herders in Borno State, Nigeria. The conflict, which has deep historical roots, has escalated in recent years, resulting in significant loss of life, livelihood destruction, and internal displacement. The primary objective was to identify   the key drivers of the conflict and assess its socio -economic impact on the affected communities.
A mixed-methods approach was adopted, with a structured questionnaire administered to 150 respondents and in-depth interviews conducted with 50 key informants, making a total study population of 200. The respondents were drawn from farming and herding icommunities in the local government areas of Hawul, Konduga, and Damboa. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages), while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings reveal that the primary drivers of the conflict are competition over scarce land and water resources (85%), climate change-induced desertification and erratic rainfall (78%), the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (72%), and the breakdown of traditional conflict
resolution mechanisms (65%). The conflict has led to severe socio-economic consequences, including the destruction of farmlands and livestock (90%), forced displacement (82%), a decline in household income (88%), and food insecurity (85%). The study concludes that the farmer-herder conflict in Borno State is a complex crisis driven by environmental scarcity, economic pressure, and security failures. It recommends an integrated approach that includes the revitalization of traditional mediation systems, investment in climate-resilient agriculture and ranching schemes, enhanced security deployment and disarmament initiatives, and policy reforms to address land tenure issues