Ajaero, J. O.Chikaire, J. U.Aminu, G. O.2024-10-312024-10-312021Ajaero, J. O., Chikaire, J. U. and Aminu, G. O. (2021). Socio-economic effects of land and water conflicts on pastoral livelihoods in Imo and Abia States, Nigeria. Int'l Journal of Agric. and Rural Dev. Volume 24(1): 5457-5463,https://repository.futo.edu.ng/handle/20.500.14562/1435A research work on land and water conflicts on pastoral livelihoods in Imo and Abia States with tablesConflicts alter livelihoods of people in conflict situation. The pastoralists are not left out since animal production is their way of life. This study therefore investigates the effect of conflicts on their livelihoods. The specific objective were to identify perceived effects of conflict on pastoral livelihoods; identify perceived conflict shocks/trends and ascertain appropriate response strategies for cushioning the effects of conflicts on pastoral livelihoods. Data were collected from 120 pastoralists in their various camps in the States with the aid of a questionnaire and oral interview. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the data. Livelihood assets of the pastoralists were grouped into 4 classes which included - natural, physical, financial and physical assets. With a mean response (M) of 2.50 and above, conflicts affected pastoral livelihoods in the following ways - limited access to grazing areas (M=3.25), blockage of migratory routes (M=2.67), death of cattle owners (M=2.64),animal diseases outbreak (M=3.27), forced pastoral migration (M=3.31), market closure (M=2.90), death of animals (M=2.93), blockage of major roads (M=2.51), failure of public security (M=2.61) among others. The conflict shocks experienced were reduced access to pasture (M=2.44), reduced market access (M=2.80), cattle raiding (M=2.35), death of grasses (M=2.49), human and livestock diseases outbreak with (M=2.43) and (M=2.37), respectively. To cope, the following were agreed upon; improved access right to resources, improved access to migrating routes, provision of micro-credit schemes, income stream diversification, improved innovative techniques for livestock production among othersenConflictsPastoralistsLivelihoodWaterDept. of Agricultural ExtensionArticle