THE EFFECT OF HERDSMEN BANDITRY ACTIVITIES ON FOOD SCARCITY IN EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

The objective of this research is to identify the main causes of the herdsmen and food security in Edo state, effects of armed banditry on the prospects for food security how the herdsmen and farmers' conflict affects food security in Nigeria and measures taken by the government in preventing herdsmen and farmers conflict in Edo state. The population of the study will cover Estako West  Local Government Area, Edo State with a population of 197,609 with sample size of 100 respondents. The research instrument used was questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed using frequency count and percentages. the findings of this research revealed that the causes of herdsmen banditry on security in Edo state are encroachment of herdsmen cattle into farmlands, destruction of farm crops by herdsmen cattle, refusal of herdsmen to move their cattle away from farmlands and lack of government efforts in addressing herdsmen and farmers conflict. It is recommended that security agents should be alive to their responsibility and ensure strict enforcement of the open anti-grazing laws passed by the respective state governments in the country. It is  concluded that the conflict involving herdsmen and farmers has become a serious concern to Nigerians due to the level of destruction on farmlands and the loss of lives resulting from the conflict. The conflict has prompted most farmers in Nigeria to abandon their farmlands at the peak of harvest due to fear of being maimed by the herders. This will worsen the already bad state of food insecurity experienced in the country.