Abstract

The study examined farmers? perceived effectiveness of communal conflict management and resolution approaches in North-central, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to obtain a sample size of 391 farmers. Information was elicited using interview schedule and analysed using descriptive statistics such as percentages and mean while Multivariate Analysis of Variance was used for inferential deductions. Data were collected on the effectiveness of conflict management and resolution approaches and farmers? perceived effect of communal conflicts on the delivery of agricultural extension services by field extension workers. Findings reveal that majority (67.0%) of farmers perceived community-based approaches as most effective methods of conflict resolution. Furthermore, results show that conflict management and resolution methods such as intervention by traditional institutions (p=0.000), adopting peaceful settlements (p=0.000), permanent ejection from community (p=0.004) and education of farmers (p=0.004) had relationship with perceived effect of communal conflicts on agricultural extension service delivery. The farmers? perceived communal conflicts to have high effects on accessibility of extension services. The study recommended the integration of useful aspects of traditional institutions with the management strategies by government to provide lasting solutions to avoidable conflicts within farming communities in Nigeria.

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