ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF INSURGENCY ON LIVELIHOODS OF FARMERS IN NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA
ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF INSURGENCY ON LIVELIHOODS OF FARMERS IN NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2017-10
Authors
ONWUAROH, Augustine Sunday
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The incessant bombing and killing by insurgents no doubt impacts negatively on agricultural activities as most farmers in the areas under attacks hardly go to farms and should therefore be an area people should research into for possible solutions, but unfortunately, there is dearth of empirical and quantitative data of the catastrophic damage insurgency has done to the livelihood of rural farmers. This study was designed to assess the impact of insurgency on livelihoods of farmers in northeastern Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, examine the nature and frequency of insurgency, examine the perception of the farmers on the causes of insurgency, determine factors that make farmers susceptible to insurgency, analyze the impact of insurgency on livelihoods of farmers and characterize the strategies farmers are employing in mitigating and coping with impact of insurgency. Multi-stage sampling procedure; involving purposive and systematic random sampling techniques were employed in selecting 353 farmers used for the study. Primary data were collected with the aid of semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The likert scale was used to measure the perception of the people on the causes of insurgency. Tobit regression model was used to determine the factors that make farmers susceptible to insurgency while the chow test was used to analyze the impact of insurgency on income and level of living of farmers. The findings indicate that 89.36% of the respondents were male and about 47% of respondents engaging in farming as their major occupation. About 45.62% of respondents‟ response stated that sporadic shooting was the most prevalent form of insurgent attacks, with regards to frequency of attacks, the respondents averagely experienced arson once, sporadic shooting twice, kidnapping once, suicide bombing thrice, bombing with improvised devices twice, forced recruitment once and threats 10 times. All the respondents were in support that unemployment is a major cause of insurgency and about 90% of them affirmed that poverty was a major cause of insurgency. The findings further indicate that Magumeri LGA, marital status, experience in livelihood activities and farming, which were all significant at 1% except for farming which was significant at 5% are the only factors associated with farmers that affect their susceptibility to insurgency. The Chow test model analysis indicated an F-calculated value (92.59***) for income which was statistically significant at 1% level of probability; meaning that insurgency had an impact on income. Also, the F-calculated value (0.15) for asset was statistically insignificant; meaning that insurgency had no impact on level of living. Half (50%) of the farmers stated that the use of civilian joint task force was a strategy being employed to shield them from insurgent activities and about 55% of the farmers indicated that eating from household grain reserves was a strategy they employed to cope after attacks from insurgents. Unemployment and poverty were the major perceived causes of insurgency and the civilian joint task forces was the major mitigating strategy used in fighting the insurgents. The study recommended that the civilian joint task force should be employed and empowered with weapons by the government so they can help the Nigerian army in fighting the insurgents since they understand the terrain more than the army. Also, government, international or local non-governmental organizations, private organization and individuals should intensify efforts in economically empowering people in the study area as this will help provide employment and alleviate poverty which are the major perceived causes of insurgency in the study areas.
Description
A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIRMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (Ph.D.) IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, FACULTY OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA
Keywords
ASSESSMENT,, IMPACT,, INSURGENCY,, LIVELIHOODS,, FARMERS,, NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA