Communal Land Conflict and Food Security in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria

Francis Abul Uyang, Eucharia Nwabugo Nwagbara, Veronica Akwenabuaye Undelikwo, Rosemary Ine Eneji

Department of Sociology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/aa.2013.34027                

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between factors in communal land conflict and food security in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Two null hypotheses were formulated based on the selected independent variables of boundary dispute and scramble for other scarce economic resources like oil palm and other economic trees. Using the survey research design, data were collected from 400 randomly selected respondents. The data were statistically analysed using the chi-square (X²) with probability set at the 5% level of significance. The results showed a significant relationship between boundary dispute and food security in Obudu on one hand and between scramble for scarce economic resources and food security on the other. We recommend among other things, that government at all levels should periodically mount enlightenment campaigns, seminars and symposia to sensitize the rural people on the devastating effect of communal land conflict. Also, conflict control mechanisms such as regular meetings and dialogue among neighbouring communities should be encouraged by community leaders to avert communal land conflict.

Keywords

Communal Land Conflicts; Boundary Dispute; Land; Food Security

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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