EFFECTIVENESS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION MECHANISMS BETWEEN CROP FARMERS AND HERDERS IN SOUTHWESTERN, NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
The study investigated effectiveness of conflict resolution mechanisms between crop farmers and herders in Southwestern Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select the respondents. Primary data were collected from 375 crop farmers and herders using structure interview schedule. Frequency counts, percentages, means and t-test were used to analysis the data. Majority of the crop farmers (82.0%) and all the herders (100 %) were male while the mean age was 46.36±11.02 years and 40.98±8.17 years respectively. Also, mean farm size was 8.39±2.7 ha while mean herd size was 31±6 herds. In addition, dialogue (mean= 2.72 and mean=2.69) was used among farmers and herders. Slightly above average (54.8%) of the farmers and (69.6%) of the herders were indifferent in their perception towards mechanisms used. There was significant difference in the effectiveness of conflict resolution mechanism (t=3.085; p ≤ 0.001). Slightly above average of the farmers (54%) and herders (58.4%) indicated that conflict resolution mechanisms used was effective and ineffective respectively. The study concluded that various conflict resolution mechanisms used were slightly effective among crop farmers and herders due to lack of cooperation. It was recommended that Government should try to provide a mobile court so that conflict-related matters can be charge to court immediately without delay.