ABSTRACT
This research presents the results of the socio economic effects of cattle ranching by Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria. The population for the study consists of 40 people which were randomly selected, Data were gathered using a self -constructed questionnaire and the result gotten was analyzed using the simple percentage method. The validity and reliability of instrument were ascertained. Data analyzed from the research shows that herdsmen are seriously terrorizing Nigerian most especially farmers, their cattle eat up farmers farm product and when their complain Fulani herdsmen kill them burn their houses and render them useless, make them orphans and homeless therefor the study recommends that government should ensure that those involved in the allocation of land for farming should imbibe responsibility and not allocate along cattle route or over grazing lands to avoid encroachment by nomadic herdsmen
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
1.6 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 CONCEPTUAL CLARIFICATION
2.2 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.3 EMPIRICAL REVIEW
2.4 SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 INTRODUCTINTRODUCTION
3.2 RESESEARCH DESIGN
3.3 STUDY POPULATION
3.4 SAMPLE AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUE
3.5 DATA FOR THE STUDY: INSTRUMENTATION
3.6 METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 DATA PRESENTPRESENTATATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 INTRODUCTION
4.2 DATA ANALYSIS
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
5.2 CONCLUSION
5.3 RECOMMENDATION
REFRENCE
APPENDIX
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The Fulani indisputably represent a significant component of the Nigerian economy. They constitute the major breeders of cattle, the main source of meat, the most available and cheap source of animal proteins consumed by Nigerians. The Fulani own over 90% of the nation’s livestock population which accounts for one-third of agricultural GDP and 3.2% of the nation’s GDP (Eniola, 2007). Furthermore, the contribution of the Fulani to the local food chain and national food security cannot be overstressed. The Fulani, with their dominance in the Sahel region, are the best known and most numerous of all the pastoral groups in Nigeria. The traditional and unique Fulani encampment (ruga) consisting of temporary structures made of stalks, closely knit family members and livestock is the natural habitat of the orthodox Fulbe settlement (Eniola, 2007) (Eniola, 2007). As the state cannot regulate the mutual coexistence of its citizens in the harmonious sharing of the competed resources, the parties may have to resolve to struggle among themselves with no retreat, no surrender and for the survival of the fittest. The failure of the state, for example to resolve the ‘settler/ ‘indigene’ identity and the inherent struggles over resources can be adduced to have brought dangerous dimensions of economic and political elements in the Fulani pastoralists and farmers’ conflicts (Fiki and Lee, B. 2004: 24-48). Issues bordering on local community security, safety and development are paramount in the enhancement of governance and increase or decrease in agitation for control of resources as well as encroachment of the rights of others. All these have implications for survival and struggles between or amongst communities. Again, local resistance to state policies is central in resource-use through strengthening of community capacity to manage resources and deal with conflicts. Hence, security is a framework for intervention and conflicts. Since insecurity gives ways to conspiracy, conflicts are inevitable. The object of security is to primarily advance the well-being and possessions of the persons involved; while the survival of the state is secondary. In other words, when the character and nature of the state do not seem to protect the security of the citizens, their freedom and choices completely shift away from the state to individuals or groups as the foci of security.
The Fulani own over 90% of the nation’s livestock population which accounts for one-third of agricultural GDP and 3.2% of the nation’s GDP (Eniola, 2007). Furthermore, the contribution of the Fulani to the local food chain and national food security cannot be overstressed. The Fulani, with their dominance in the Sahel region, are the best known and most numerous of all the pastoral groups in Nigeria. The traditional and unique Fulani encampment (ruga) consisting of temporary structures made of stalks, closely knit family members and livestock is the natural habitat of the orthodox Fulbe settlement (Eniola, 2007) (Eniola, 2007). As the state cannot regulate the mutual coexistence of its citizens in the harmonious sharing of the competed resources, the parties may have to resolve to struggle among themselves with no retreat, no surrender and for the survival of the fittest. The failure of the state, for example to resolve the ‘settler/ ‘indigene’ identity and the inherent struggles over resources can be adduced to have brought dangerous dimensions of economic and political elements in the Fulani pastoralists and farmers’ conflicts (Fiki and Lee, B. 2004: 24-48). Issues bordering on local community security, safety and development are paramount in the enhancement of governance and increase or decrease in agitation for control of resources as well as encroachment of the rights of others. All these have implications for survival and struggles between or amongst communities. Again, local resistance to state policies is central in resource-use through strengthening of community capacity to manage resources and deal with conflicts. Hence, security is a framework for intervention and conflicts. Since insecurity gives ways to conspiracy, conflicts are inevitable. The object of security is to primarily advance the well-being and possessions of the persons involved; while the survival of the state is secondary. In other words, when the character and nature of the state do not seem to protect the security of the citizens, their freedom and choices completely shift away from the state to individuals or groups as the foci of security. The expansion of Fulbe pastoralism into Nigeria is unknown. It is suggested that Fulbe began to settle on the plains of Bauchi Emirate transcending onto the grassland of the Jos Plateau (Morrison, 1982, cited in Blench, 2010:4). Conflicts between pastoralists and farmers have existed since the beginnings of agriculture and increased or decreased in intensity and frequency depending on economic, environmental and other factors. For example, increases in the herd sizes, due to improved conditions of the cattle, compelled the pastoralists to seek for more pastures beyond their limited range. Climate change has constituted a great threat by putting great pressures on the land and thus provoking conflicts between them. However, improvements in human health and population have enhanced a much greater pressure on land. Since the 1980s therefore, there has been a marked expansion of cultivation of the fadama (reverine and valley-bottom) areas. This means that both the farmers and pastoralists have engaged in fierce struggles for access to such valuable lands which, more often than not, result in increased conflicts and violence.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The Fulani herdsmen and local communities have coexisted for many years without much friction. If there had been friction it was minimal and they were able to settle their differences amicably. But recently between 2011 and 2016 the situation altered itself giving rise to feuds of various dimensions. However, the bone of contention is land. The Fulani herdsmen, constrained by dwindling vegetative grazing land in the North, herd their cattle opening, moving them to other parts of the country for grazing. Grazing constitutes a problem to local farmers, because in the process of finding feed (fodder) the cattle would ravage the farm produce in a manner that is painful to the farmer when considering the labour and loss of produce thus pitch them into warfare. Many farmers have gone bankrupt due to the destruction of their investment by the cattle. This is very difficult to quantity in monetary terms. Apart from the destruction of farmlands, the herdsmen sometimes engage in raping the locals, kidnapping, abductions and robbery. On the other hand, the Fulani herdsmen claimed that they have been losing their cattle to rustlers, thus they for instance alleged that they lost 3.5 million heads of cattle between 2001 and 2010 in different bloody encounters with the locals (Punch, Thursday, May 13, 2013, p. 22). The suggestion of the Federal government to have a cattle ranch in all the states; managed and coordinated by the Fulani Herdsmen has been a great issue to contemplate on in the nation. The Fulani Herdsmen and the Nigerian indigenes of various do not agree with this plan. Hence, there should be a better approach to Cattle production in Nigeria.
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTION
1. What effect does Fulani cattle ranching has on the livelihood of farmers in Nigeria
2. What are the socio economic effect of cattle ranching on Nigeria
3. What are the problems associated with Fulani cattle ranching in Nigeria
4. What solution can be proffered to the problem of Fulani cattle ranching in Nigeria?
1.4 AIMS AND OBJECTIVE OF STUDY
The aim of this studies is to critically study the socio-economic effect of Cattle Ranching by Fulani Herdsmen in all states in Nigeria. The objectives are:
1. To find out the effect cattle ranching has on the livelihood of farmers in Nigeria
2. To ascertain the socio economic effect of cattle ranching on Nigeria