Assessment of the impact of conflict on food security A case study of APa and Agatu local government areas of Benue state, Nigeria.

This study assessed the impact of conflict on food security in Apa and Agatu Local Government Areas of Benue State, Nigeria. The study was undertaken to examine how persistent communal and farmer-herder conflicts have affected agricultural production, household food availability, accessibility, utilization, and overall food security in the affected communities. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and the study was conducted using a sample size of 500 respondents. To ensure equal representation and avoid sampling bias, 250 respondents were selected from Apa Local Government Area and 250 respondents from Agatu Local Government Area through a multistage sampling technique. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires, while descriptive statistics and inferential statistical techniques were employed for data analysis. The findings revealed that conflict had a significant negative impact on food security in both local government areas. The study showed that frequent attacks, displacement of farming households, destruction of crops and livestock, restricted access to farmlands, and disruption of agricultural activities resulted in reduced food production and household incomes. Consequently, many households experienced food shortages, increased food prices, reduced dietary diversity, and heightened vulnerability to hunger and malnutrition. The findings further indicated that inadequate security, insufficient government intervention, and limited access to agricultural support services worsened the food security situation in the study areas. Statistical analysis also revealed a significant relationship between conflict and household food insecurity. The study concluded that the recurring conflicts in Apa and Agatu Local Government Areas have substantially undermined agricultural productivity and household food security. It recommended strengthening security measures in farming communities, promoting effective conflict resolution and peace building initiatives, providing timely humanitarian assistance and agricultural support to affected households, and implementing sustainable rural development programmes aimed at restoring livelihoods and improving food security in the study area.