Journal of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Impact of Violent Conflict between Herders and Crop Farmers on Socioeconomic Well-being of Women; a setback on the Sustainable Development Goals’ Target
Solomon Gbaa

Abstract
The persistent prevalence of conflict between herders and crop farmers has increased both in frequency and intensity. The conflict is further compounded by climate change as desertification is driving a southward migration of cattle herders leading to frequent violent conflict between the herders and crop farmers. Due to their inherent social vulnerability, women are disproportionately impacted by violent conflict. The aftermath of these conflict poses a threat to the actualization of the target of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This work x-rays the impact of violent conflicts between cattle herders and crop farmers on the socioeconomic well-being of women in Makurdi town, Nigeria. Women in the internally displaces peoples’ camps within Makurdi town were randomly selected for the study. Data was collected using a questionnaire and was analyzed and presented in tables. The result shows that 52.5% of the women who used to earn between N51,000 – N100,000 before the crises now earn far less than that due to the negative impact of the conflict between crop farmers and herdsmen. Also, 50.7% no longer have access to sanitation and hygiene facilities due to their prolonged stay in the displaced peoples’ camp due to the conflict. A further 70.0% of the women have lost shelter, which is very important, and their continuous stay in Internally Displaced People’s (IDPs) camp has denied them a lot of things including good means of livelihood and income to handle their daily needs. The study recommends the implementation open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment law to end the persistent conflict. Women should be given priority attention in order to alleviate their sufferings.

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