Communal conflicts in the Niger Delta present significant obstacles to agricultural livelihoods and investments, reinforcing cycles of poverty and food insecurity. However, addressing these issues through community resilience-building, sustainable practices, and stakeholder collaboration can mitigate the impacts and support long-term development and stability in the region.

This policy document examines the connection between communal conflict and economic development, focusing on the effects of violence on agricultural productivity and investment. Utilizing insights from PIND’s Partners for Peace (P4P) Peace Map and interviews with key stakeholders such as farmers, herders, and investors, the study explores the impact of communal violence on agricultural activities and investment. The findings highlight land competition as a primary driver of conflict, leading to significant disruptions in agricultural operations. Local strategies to cope with these challenges include employing vigilantes to safeguard farmers and crops and adopting collective farming practices, where multiple families work together on shared land.

To address these issues more effectively, the report recommends enhancing community-based conflict resolution mechanisms, prioritizing peace initiatives that support livelihoods, and deploying early warning systems to safeguard agricultural investments and foster sustainable development.

Download Full Report Policy-Brief-Mitigating-the-Impact-of-Communal-Conflicts-on-Agricultural-Investments-in-the-Niger-Delta-Final.pdf (10 downloads )