Impact of Communal Conflicts on Farm Household Food Security in Southeast Nigeria

Abstract

Communal conflicts pose a significant threat to food security in Southeast Nigeria. A study analyzing the effects of these conflicts on farm household food security revealed that intercommunity land disputes, farmer-herder clashes, leadership tussles, and political affiliation conflicts are prevalent in the region. The study analysed communal conflicts and farm household food security in Southeast, Nigeria using 405 respondents selected through a multistage sampling procedure involving random and purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected from primary sources using a structured questionnaire administered in the form of an interview schedule. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the food security index, and logit regression analysis. The study found that 52% of farm households are food secure, while 48% are food insecure. The analysis showed that conflicts between families, farmers, groups, communities, and farmers-herders negatively impact household food security. Specifically, based on a 10% decrease in conflicts between families, groups, communities, and farmer-herders, household food security increased by 0.6%, 0.1%, 1.4%, and 0.06%, respectively. To address food insecurity, the study recommends collaborative efforts between the government, civil societies, community leaders, NGOs, and individuals to bring lasting solutions to conflicts and lift food-insecure households to food-secure status