SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT OF LAND USE CONFLICT IN NIGERIA: A Study of Agricultural Production in Southwest Nigeria
- Victor Oluwadamilare Abegunde
- Olubunmi O. Alawode
- Melusi Sibanda
- ( paper pages. 1 - 20 )
Abstract
Little attention has been devoted to the study of the economicimplication of land conflict, especially as it relates to agriculture inNigeria, despite increasing incidence of such conflicts and the crucialrole of agriculture in the growth and development of the Nigerianeconomy. This study used data from the Southwest region of Nigeriato explore the prevalence and pattern of land conflict, analyse itsdeterminants and assess its effect on agricultural production. Datawere obtained with the aid of a structured questionnaire, from asurvey conducted on a sample of 365 crop farmers who cultivated atotal of 462 farm plots. Descriptive statistics, probit and multipleregression analytical techniques were used for data analysis. Reportsof conflicts on plots were between 1983 and 2017, with most of theincidences (94.5%) occurring in recent years (2003–2017). Twopatterns of land conflicts were identified in the study area:Farmer–Farmer (11%) and Farmer–Pastoralist (89%); the figuresreveal that the majority of the conflicts were between farmers andpastoralists. The results further show that plot location, plot distanceto farmer’s residence, nature of farming and soil quality hadsignificant positive relationships with land conflict, while plotdistance to nearby road had a significant negative relationship withland conflict. There was evidence of significant negative impact ofland conflicts on crop production and farmers’ income; a reduction of 49% in crop production and as much as 74% reduction in incomeof farmers. Serious attention from policy makers and agriculturalstakeholders on land-related conflicts would ensure sustainability inagricultural production and development.
Citation
Victor Oluwadamilare Abegunde, Olubunmi O. Alawode, Melusi Sibanda.
2020.
"SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT OF LAND USE CONFLICT IN NIGERIA: A Study of Agricultural Production in Southwest Nigeria"
The Nigerian Journal of Economic and Social Studies,
62 (2): 1 - 20.
