Abstract:
Banditry as a criminal act has significantly posed a challenge in Nigeria, specifically in Zamfara State, constituting threat not only to the safety and security of the residents but also to agricultural production, distribution, and access. The aim of the study is to assess the impact of banditry on food security in Zamfara State, analyzing its effects on agricultural production, food accessibility and food production. The study employed primary data which were collected through the use of the structured questionnaire. The result showed that factors such as destruction of farm lands, kidnapping, abduction of farmers, displacement of farmers, destruction of crops, and livestock, leads to reduced food production and availability. The research hypothesis was tested with Chi-square statistic (χ2). The data analysis and hypothesis testing revealed that the Bandits’ activities have significant effects on food production in Zamfara state (χ2=62.58a, α=0.05, df=10, p-value=0.001). The study highlights the need for integrated strategies to address the impact of banditry on food security, initiatives such as enhanced security measures, and support for farmers are recommended to mitigate the adverse effect of banditry on food security in Zamfara State.
Description:
Banditry in Nigeria has emerged as a significant challenge, affecting various facets of societal life, particularly the agricultural sector and broader economic activities. Agriculture as the main stay of the economy in the North and major source of income for people in the region has been adversely affected by banditry. The activities of bandits are prevalent particularly in Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina and other states in the Northwest region of Nigeria, although incidents have also been reported in the Northeast. The activities of these violent groups has given rise to displacements of persons, loss of lives and the erosion of the means of livelihoods for people in this region who depend primarily on farming. It is pertinent to note that of all the sectors of the Nigerian economy, the one most affected by banditry is the Agriculture sector. Activities of bandits has greatly hindered farming in the northwest. Farmers are killed, hindered from harvesting their crops and sometimes made to pay a fee to have access to their farmlands.
