Assessment of the Effect of Boko Haram Insurgency on Crop Production in Hawul Local Government Area, Borno State, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study was conducted in Hawul Local Government Area Borno State, North-eastern Nigeria.
The study aimed at assessing the effect of Boko Haram Insurgency on crop production in the Local
Government Area. Multistage random sampling was to select 240 crop farmers. The data were
analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics-paired t-test. Socio-economic characteristics were
analyzed using percentages and means while paired t-test method was used to test the effect of
insurgency on farm operation, farm inputs and crop yield before and after the conflict. The analysis
of the results revealed that majority (83.8%) of the farmers were male, literate(85.1%) and
experienced 41years farmers with mean annual farm income of ₦165,000.00. There was
significant increase in expenses of farm operation after the conflict . Inputs usage (seed, fertilizer,
herbicides, pesticide and labour) also increased significantly by more than 60.0% after the conflict.
Average crop yield in kilogram per hectare after the conflict in years 2015-2017 decreased
significantly compared to years 2004-2008 before the conflict. The percentage decrease from -
45.0%,-45.0%,-45.0%,-55.0%,-64.8%, and-83.5% respectively for rice, cowpea, groundnut,
maize, sorghum and soybean. Others were -45.0% for pepper, -52.7% for Garden egg and -55.9%
for tomato. The study therefore, established that with the significantly increased in cost of farm
operation and inputs usage after the insurgency the farmers recorded low yield in the study area.
Furthermore, output of kilogram per hectare has also reduced significantly during the period of
after the attack. It is therefore, recommended, that this reduction in crop production could be
detrimental to the welfare and livelihood of farmers in the study area. Hence, livelihood support
programme is urgently needed to supplement this under production.