Abstract:
This study sets out to examine the conflicts between the farmers and herders and how it can be managed to achieve sustainable development in Imo State. It was necessitated by the lack of food production and food insecurity, indiscriminate burning of homes and farmlands, killings, rapes and maiming of farmers. Over the years, incessant killings and clashes between herders and farmers has led to loss of lives, properties and infrastructure, food shortages, abandonment of farmlands and change in sources of livelihood and environmental degradation. The study adopted Ex-.post facto research method. And Content analysis method was used as analytical tool. An in-depth survey was carried out adopting observation of events and face-to-face interview to complement data got from records. The study revealed among others that herders perceive cattle rearing as an inheritance which they should pass down to their generations and so therefore any attempt to kill, poison or maim their cattle results to financial settlement or pay offs but to violence and taking of human lives. Thus flowing from the findings, the recommendations of the study include among others that ; ranches in lieu of cattle colonies should be provided to the herders in their states to reduce migration and encroachment and also; that monitoring and supervisory committees should be set up and empowered to sensitize and checkmate the activities of the farmers/herders to ensure peaceful coexistence and adherence to land use policies and also punishment to those who breech the agreements on peaceful coexistence.
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