ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION OF CONFLICTING AGRICULTURAL PRACTISES IN NIGERIA: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY VERSUS CROP PRODUCTION.

Effiong, Cyril J.

Department of Urban and Regional Planning

University of Uyo, Uyo

Email: cyrileffiong@uniuyo.edu.ng

ABSTRACT

Agricultural practises are known to be complementary as the waste of one tends to be the raw materials in the activities of the other. This is peculiar to crop production and animal husbandry as the dungs of animals are useful materials for enhancing the performance of soils for crop production. However, the tide seems to be turning in some part of Nigeria with the rise in conflict of interest of practitioners of the two agricultural endeavours. The activities of animal husbandry especially cattle rearing appears to be counterproductive on the production of crops as grazing animals feast on crop plantation. This negative act is injurious to man-environment nexus at the same time detrimental to food security and food supply. Conflict in any political entity has multifarious consequences on the physical, human, environmental and capital factors diminishing available opportunities for sustainable development.  In the light of many challenges faced by crop production farmers in rural communities in most Nigerian cities, this work examined environmental implications of conflicting agricultural practises while examining the need for mediation-negotiation as an essential arbiter in alternative dispute resolution whereby they share a common vision and demonstrate sufficient political will to manage the loggerhead between farmers and herdsmen in their domain and invariably boost food supply in the country.