Influence of armed banditry on agro-food supply chain in Niger State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Niger State is an agrarian economy with very high cultivation of agricultural products, especially yams. It has a large concentration of small ethnic groups. The state is facing challenges of ethno-religious conflict, occupational crises between the farming communities and Fulani herdsmen, insurgency, banditry, as well as inter-communal clashes. This has resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of farms and properties, kidnapping of people, and disruption of economic activities. It is on this premise that this paper examines the influence of armed banditry on the supply chain of yam in Niger State. The study examined the extent of armed banditry and the impact of armed banditry on the yam supply chain and agrarian communities. A survey design and simple random sampling techniques were used to sample respondents, while a structured questionnaire was employed to collect data on the influence of armed banditry on the farmers, commercial transport operators, and agro-food marketers in three major yam markets: Garatu, Paiko, and Gwada. Interviews were also conducted with stakeholders in government agencies and non-governmental organizations. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and quantitative techniques. The study revealed that armed banditry has a negative influence on agro-food production, transportation, and marketing in the area, resulting in low agricultural productivity and a high cost of agricultural produce and transportation. It is recommended that the security of lives and properties be given a high priority by the government and communities by establishing training schemes and equipping the local vigilantes and the security agencies with adequate and more sophisticated equipment for the early detection of armed banditry. Vigilantes and security personnel should also be motivated. All these will have positive effects on the production, transportation, distribution, and marketing of yam.