Fulani Herdsmen's Pastoral Activities, Conflict and Conflict Management Strategies in Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Pastoral activities of the Fulani nomads in Ibarapa East Local Government Area
(LGA) of Oyo state Nigeria had come with some challenges over the years of
interacting with their host community. This study was aimed at determining the
effects of nomadic farming in the study area attendant conflicts and conflict
management strategies adopted by the various stake holders. A total of 140
questionnaires and interview schedules were administered in the study area 100 for
crop farmers as they were most affected by pastoral activities of the Fulani nomads
20 for nomads and 10 each for community leaders and law enforcement agents. A
multi stage sampling method was adopted for crop farmers. In stage 1 the study area
was divided into 2 quarters; stage 2 had each quarter divided into 5 units while10
questionnaires were purposively administered to crop farmers in stage 3. Also
random sampling of the nomads was conducted in which 20 interview schedules were
administered. The data was processed and subjected to descriptive analysis using
frequency count and simple percentage. The results obtained showed that the
majority (62 and 100) %) of crop farmers and nomads respectively were male (54 and
65) % of crop farmers and nomads respectively were within age bracket of 20 – 39
years while (62 and 75) %.) of crop farmers and nomads respectively had less than 20
years of farming experience Also the results showed that problems encountered by
the crop farmers were crop destruction (22.89 %) and sexual harassment (20.65 %)
while cattle theft (69.57 %) and language barrier (30.43 %) were those of the
nomads. Conflicts were resolved by payment of compensation by offending nomads
(50.00 %) while crop farmers reported to concerned authorities (63.33 %) and
mediation by community leaders and law enforcement. Concerning conflict
prevention majority of the crop farmers (40.85%) suggested provision of grazing
reserves by government while the nomads (53.12%) suggested fencing of crop farms
by farmers. Value orientation on peaceful coexistence of the crop farmers and Fulani
pastoralists was recommended