The Impact of Pastoralist-Farmer Conflicts on Food Security in Nasarawa State

This study investigates the impact of recurring pastoralist-farmer conflicts on food security in Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria. Farmer-herder conflicts in Nasarawa State have intensified significantly over the past five years, resulting in farm destruction, livestock losses, displacement of farmers, and reduced agricultural productivity that collectively threaten food security for large segments of the rural population. Employing a descriptive research design, data were collected from 190 farming households and 60 herder community members in Lafia, Obi, and Akwanga local government areas using structured questionnaires, with supplementary qualitative data from focus group discussions. The theoretical framework draws from the food security framework and the conflict-food insecurity nexus model. Findings reveal that conflict incidents during planting and harvesting seasons cause the most severe disruptions to food production, with affected farmers reporting significant reductions in farm area cultivated and crop yield per hectare. Internally displaced farmers face the highest food insecurity risks, particularly those unable to return to farmlands due to security concerns. The study recommends establishing dedicated grazing reserves to reduce competition for land, deploying early warning systems at farming community entry points, accelerating the passage and implementation of a national grazing management policy, and providing humanitarian food assistance and farm input support to conflict-affected farming families in Nasarawa. Keywords: pastoralist-farmer conflict, food security, Nasarawa State, agriculture, displacement.