Abstract:

This study was designed to investigate the effect of land related conflicts on crop production in Delta State, Nigeria. Communities that have and are still experiencing land related conflicts were purposively selected for this study. The community and opinion leaders in such communities were also purposively selected for the study. This resulted to the selection of 255 respondents. Data were collected with the use of questionnaire and structured interview schedule. All the conflicts were at inter-community level and were caused by boundary disputes. The conflicts took serious dimensions. Arable crop production was adversely affected, but picked up after resolution of the conflicts in most communities. Agricultural activities were negatively affected by the conflict incidences. The conflict cases were managed with adoption of negotiation, security agents, and governmental agencies’ intervention and judicial injunction. However they were resolved through legal procedure, intervention of Ministry and Land Survey, and Land and Boundary Commission’s intervention. There were significant differences between level of crop production before and after conflicts; significant relationships between magnitude of land conflicts and some socioeconomic characteristics of respondents. Seriousness of land conflicts had inverse significant relationship with agricultural activities. It was recommended that government agencies should properly define boundaries between communities, Land and Boundary Commission should promptly wade into land related disputes before they escalate; and communities are required to contact the relevant government agencies to report any matter of disagreement relating to land boundaries with other communities; and extension agency needs to integrate anti-conflict education in their interaction with farmers.

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