ABSTRACT:

The paper examined effects of farmers and pastoralists conflicts on rural food security in southern Taraba state Nigeria. A purposive and multi-stage sampling method was used to select 180 respondents from the study area. Data was collected using a pre-tested Likert and open-ended questionnaire. Descriptive statistical tool was used to analyze the data. Results show that cereal crops such as rice (47%) and maize ((29%) were highly vulnerable followed by tuber crops such as yam (32%) and cassava (29%). As regards farming practices, land fallow (26%) was most affected, followed by mixed cropping (18%) and dry season (irrigation) farming (14%). Furthermore, data on responses relating to perceived issues on conflicts revealed that harvest is most affected by the conflicts followed by food availability, affordability and food accessibility. The study recommends strong government intervention in creating cattle routes, grazing areas and ranches or colonies to avert the farmers and pastoralists conflicts and ensure a sustained food security to the rural communities within the southern Taraba state where the conflict is now taking ethnic and religious posture with greater magnitude.