Interrogating cattle colony and farmer/herder clashes in Nigeria

Abstract

Transhumance, that is, unrestricted open grazing of herds has generated heated debates as it has ignited skirmishes between herders and farmers—like never before in the annals of Nigeria. Interests seeking the perpetuation of open grazing clash with those antagonizing it—with dastard consequences for the nation’s livestock farming and agricultural production. This paper discusses how to stem the tide of crisis in intergroup relations between two notable segments of the Nigerian state i.e. farmers and herders. It argues that the federal government’s effort towards addressing resource-conflicts between herders and farmers through sedentary livestock farming is laudable, but its propositions towards actualization of the scheme left much to be desired. The study, therefore, employs qualitative method, in the main. It relies on extant literature, government documents, informed opinions of stakeholders/opinion moulders and researchers’ personal observations. It concludes that a combination of resolving to modernize cattle rearing and phenomenal concession by the two contending groups stand the chance of stemming the tide of the crisis that has untoward consequences for the nation's peace and unity.