Resolving the Farmers/Herdsmen Conflict in Southern Kaduna through Sustainable Land Management Practise

Abstract

Globally, and in many individual countries, there is clear evidence of impending land shortage. Efficient use of these available lands is becoming a matter of life or death for increasing millions of mankind. The aim of this research is to identify the problems of land uses and unrestrained cattle grazing in Nigeria with particular reference to Kaura, Jema’a and Sanga Local Government of Kaduna State using the focus group research method. Data was collected through structured interview from 6 respondents who were purposefully selected in each of the local government area. The data collected was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The results show that residential and agricultural land use are the predominant land use in the 3 local government areas and the absence of grazing and ranch land has been the major problem engendering herdsmen/farmers clash. It is recommended that the government should perfect all titles on land, provide grazing and ranch land in specific locations, after consultation with the traditional rulers, religious leaders and farmers representative and the herdsmen to stem the frequent clashes.