JOURNALS

ABSTRACT

Climate variability has necessitated a resource induced conflict between farmers and herders in Kaduna State, Nigeria as drought and rain variability translates to dairy cattle diseases, shortage of pasture, and heat stress with a resultant decline in milk business of Fulani Women in the State. The inadequate willpower by the government to formulate both kinetic and non-kinetic conflict resolution measures is militating against peaceful coexistence among farmers and herders, while inadequate coping and adaption strategies on climate change by Fulani pastoralists significantly impedes the backward integration policy on dairy sector (5% target on domestic sourcing of raw milk) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This necessitates the study to access the effect of climate change induced farmers-herders conflict (proxies as drought and rainfall) on milk business of Fulani women in Kaduna State, Nigeria. A survey research design was used for the study with the instrument of a structured questionnaire administered to 90 Fulani women selected through multi-stage sampling techniques across three (3) Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the State. The data elicited from the field was analyzed through descriptive statistics and a regression analysis with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 23. The result showed a significant negative effect (-18.3%) of drought on milk business of Fulani women in Kaduna State. Rainfall has a significant positive effect (65.1%) on milk business of Fulani Women in Kaduna State implying that a percentage increase in drought and rainfall will lead to 18.3% decline and 65.1% increase respectively on milk business of Fulani women in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study concludes that climate change induced farmers-herders conflict has a significant effect on milk business of Fulani Women in Kaduna State and recommends that the Fulani pastoralist should employ measures such as artificial insemination to enhance high milk yielding dairy cattle and adaptation measures to cope with the adverse effect of climate variability.