Effects Of Banditry On Farming System In Nigeria
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Effects Of Banditry On Farming System In Nigeria
Chapter one
INTRODUCTION
1.0 Background of the Study
Any sort of violence that causes insecurity in rural areas where farmers make up the bulk of the population is sure to have an impact on food security and farming methods around the world.
A farming system is an integrated set of activities that farmers carry out on their farms using the resources and circumstances available to them in order to maximise productivity and net farm revenue on a long-term basis.
Farming system is a method of establishing farm-household systems based on the concepts of productivity, profitability, stability, and sustainability.
The farming system approach focusses on identifying farm home and community interlinkages, reviewing restrictions, and assessing potentials. However, the surge in banditry attacks on rural villages by herders has become a major economic worry.
Banditry is a term used to describe acts of robbery and violence in situations where the rule of law has collapsed (Collins 2000). Banditry is the formation of armed bands with the intent of assaulting state or societal institutions, corporations, or individuals. Participation in such bands, as well as their attacks, is considered banditry (Collins, 2000).
In West Africa, the prevalence and intensity of banditry have contributed to a rise in regional insecurity, posing a challenge to subregional integration (Abdullahi, 2019).
The United Nations reported in September 2020 that attacks by the AlShabaab insurgent group may exacerbate food insecurity and impede farming techniques in Mozambique until 2021. In Nigeria, the Federal Government has recognised that banditry poses a significant threat to farming communities in the country’s north.
In April 2017, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with the Minister of Interior, established a special unit of the AgroRangers Corps to defend farmers and farming interests around the country (The Sun, 2017).
The use of Agro-Rangers was supposed to deter attacks on farmlands and enhance farmers’ confidence in working on their farms without fear of attack, thereby ensuring the Federal Government’s food security plans (NSCDC,2020).
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Insecurity posed by Boko Haram and Fulani herders is the most serious threat to Nigeria’s agriculture economy. Boko Haram’s ongoing terrorist and banditry activities in northeastern Nigeria have had a significant influence on agricultural activity and the farming system.
rural activities cannot be carried out in an unstable environment; domestic agricultural production is suppressed, rural communities are relocated, and access to regional markets is hampered (Eigege & Cooke, 2016).
In addition to the Boko Haram group, Fulani herders have become a serious menace to farming communities due to their frequent attacks and fatalities. The Fulani pastoralists’ atrocious banditry attacks on these farming districts have made it difficult for farmers to go to their land to cultivate or harvest.
Aside from the physical attack on the farmers, the damage caused by the herdsmen’s livestock (cows, cattle, etc.) aggravates the suffering of the helpless farmers.
The impact on the economy is seen in the continued rise in food commodity prices, scarcity of some food products, and acute food insecurity as places where food is grown/produced are no longer producing.
This is because the majority of farmers in agriculturally famous communities in the middle belt, northwest, and northeast have abandoned their farms and migrated to other communities in search of safety, leaving their farms fallow and with unharvested crops, which would have a negative impact on the farming system. Against this backdrop, this study aims to investigate the impact of banditry on Nigeria’s farming sector.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The primary goal of this research is to investigate the impact of banditry on Nigeria’s farming system. Specifically, it will
Examine the various types of banditry attacks on farming villages.
Determine the extent to which banditry affects the agricultural system in Nigeria.
Investigate the impact of banditry attacks on agricultural techniques.
Determine whether the damaged farming system will lead to shortages and an increase in food prices.
1.4 Significance of the Study
This work will add to the overall body of knowledge. Most crucially, it will alert the government to the urgent necessity to station security agents around farming areas vulnerable to attack.
It will reveal to the Ministry of Agriculture the ramifications of these attacks on food security, as well as the necessity to prepare for the worst-case scenario if nothing is done.
This study will also educate those from the country’s regions (particularly the southeast, south-south, and western states) who are interested in farming about the importance of starting immediately rather than relying solely on the Middle-Belt, North-East, and Northwest because these areas are under attack, thereby preventing the country from experiencing a food shortage. Finally, this study will serve as a resource for future scholars and leave potential for further investigation.
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study will look at how banditry affects the Nigerian farming system.It will investigate the many types of bandit attacks on farming communities. It will determine the impact of banditry on Nigeria’s farming sector.
It will look into the impact of banditry attacks on farming techniques and analyse whether the disrupted farming system would lead to scarcity or increase. However, the scope of this study is limited to the Konshisha Local Government in Benue State.
1.6 Research Hypothesis
H01: Banditry has no meaningful effect on the farming system.
H02: Banditry has no major impact on food costs or insecurity.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
A few things posed as limitations to the investigation. These are financial and time constraints.
Financial constraints- Insufficient funds tend to restrict the researcher’s efficiency in accessing relevant resources, literature, or information, as well as in data collecting (internet, questionnaire, and interview).
Time constraints: The researcher will conduct this investigation while also working on other academic projects. This will reduce the amount of time spent on research.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Farming is the practice of growing crops or raising livestock for food and raw materials.
Famine: A famine is a widespread lack of food caused by a variety of circumstances such as war, inflation, crop failure, population imbalance, or government policy.
Food insecurity is quantified at the household level and refers to the unpredictable, insufficient, or undesirable availability, access, or utilisation of food.
Farming System: A farming system is an integrated set of activities that farmers do on their farms using their resources and conditions to maximise productivity and net farm revenue on a long-term basis.
Banditry is a sort of organised crime conducted by outlaws that usually includes the threat or use of violence. A bandit is someone who conducts crimes such as extortion, robbery, and murder, either alone or in groups.
Herdsmen, often known as Fulani pastoralists, live nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyles. Fulani people primarily raise livestock.Crisis: A crisis is defined as any occurrence or period that will or may result in an unstable and dangerous condition affecting an individual, a group, or the entire society.
Crises are negative changes in human or environmental situations, particularly when they occur unexpectedly and with little or no notice.
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