Abstract

The occurrence of conflicts over the use of competing natural resources between crop farmers and pastoralists in Nigeria were on the increase in recent times. The study investigated the consequences of pastoralists and crop farmer?s conflict on rural livelihoods in Oyo state, Nigeria. A three-stage random sampling technique was used to select 90 farmers from six communities contiguous with pastoralists? settlements for the study. Data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire. The results revealed that home and farm destruction as well as sustaining of wounds and injuries with relative important indices of 0.66 and 0.65 respectively were incidences significantly affected during the conflicts. Similarly, reduction in crop yields, and farm income with 0.76 relative importance indices each accompanied the conflicts. In addition, reduction in food quality and quantity (0.71), farm job abandonment (0.72), sleepless night (0.64), and fear and anxiety (0.65) were reported by the respondents. Therefore, it was concluded that pastoralists and crop farmers? conflicts had negative consequences on every on many facets rural livelihoods in Oyo State. It was recommended the government and non-governmental organizations should come to the aid of the farmers to cushion the effects of the damages. All the stakeholders should come together and discuss and agree on amicable solutions to the problems. The government can be the mediator

PDF