Gwary M. M.¹, Mai-Jir M. M.², Mustapha S. B.^1,, Makinta A. A.³, Galadima B. K.⁴

This study analyzed the socio-economic factors influencing involvement in conflict among natural resource users in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State, Nigeria. Data were collected using a purposive sampling technique to select 115 crop farmers, 46 herders and 39 fisherfolks (200 respondents) with the aid of structured interview schedules. The data were subjected to both descriptive (frequency distribution, percentage and mean) and inferential (logistic regression) statistics. The results revealed that majority of the respondents were male; 99.1% crop farmers, 93.5% pastoralists and 100% fisherfolks. The study also revealed that majority (78.5%) of the crop farmers, pastoralists (76.1%) and fisherfolks (76.90%) were married. Furthermore, majority (90.4%) of the crop farmers practiced mixed cropping, 41.3% of the pastoralists practiced free range livestock management, and 48.7% of fisherfolks practiced netting fishing technique. Logistic regression analysis revealed level of education, household size and farm size as significant socio-economic factors influencing involvement in conflict among crop farmers and pastoralists. Sex, age, level of education and herd size were also significant factors influencing involvement in conflict among pastoralists and fisher folks. The result of conflict resolution mechanisms used in the study area revealed that traditional authorities were the most effective conflict resolution mechanism. The study recommended that regular review of stock routes, provision of gazetted grazing reserves, awareness campaigns to increase compliance rate to rules and regulations over conflicts on natural resources use, and conflict resolution must be developed locally.

conflict, involvement, natural resources, resolution, socio-economic factors