Abstract

The study investigated maize farmers' perception about effects of security challenges in Oke - Ogun area of Oyo State, Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained through an interview schedule from 135 farmers sampled through a two-stage sampling procedure. Data were collected on socioeconomic characteristics; security challenges encountered, perception of the respondents about effects of security challenges and coping strategies employed by the respondents. Descriptive statistical tools such as frequency counts, means, and standard deviations were used to describe and summarize the data. While Chi - square and Pearson product moment correlation analyses were used to draw inferences on the hypothesis. Findings from the study revealed that more than three quarters (83.0%) were males, and the mean years of maize production was 15.8 years. Loss of community peace (80.7%), destruction of maize farm by herders (79.3%) and kidnapping of maize farmers (72.6%) were the most identified security challenges encountered. While community policing (90.4%) was their most employed coping strategy. Majority (91.1%) had unfavorable perception about security challenges encountered. Sex and religion had significant association with perception about security challenges. Age (r=0.628), years of maize production (r=0.524) and number of times travelled out of community (r=0.287) had significant relationships with maize famers’ perception about effects of security challenges encountered. The study concluded that the respondents had unfavourable perception towards security challenges, and they saw it as threat to maize production. Hence, the study recommends that the policy makers should adopt the coping strategies employed by the respondents such as establishment of many security checkpoints and posts to improve the security challenges. Also, public enlightenment campaign should be carried out to orientate both farmers and herders on how to tolerate one another, respect people’s values, culture and traditions for peaceful co – existence to stop this impediment to agricultural production.

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