Farmer–Herder Conflict and Agricultural Productivity in Mangu, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Farmer–herder conflict threatens agricultural productivity by disrupting farming activities, restricting access to productive resources, and discouraging labour participation. This study examined its effects on farmers’ access to agricultural labour and agricultural output in Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State. Grounded in Resource Scarcity Theory, which links competition over limited resources such as land and water to conflict and disrupted production, the study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population comprised farmers in conflict-affected communities, and a sample size of 400 respondents was determined using Taro Yamane’s formula. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations in SPSS, with a mean benchmark of 2.50 for decision-making. Respondents reported that conflict discouraged labour participation, reduced labour availability, increased the difficulty and cost of hiring workers, and heightened reliance on family labour. They also reported reduced agricultural output associated with crop destruction, fear of attacks, reduced cultivation, and disruptions to farming activities. The study concludes that farmer–herder conflict constrains agricultural productivity, with adverse implications for labour access and agricultural production. These findings highlight the need to strengthen security, improve community-based conflict-resolution mechanisms, and provide targeted agricultural support to conflict-affected farmers.