Security Threats and Agricultural Productivity: Farmers’ and Community Leaders’ Views on Kidnapping and Banditry in Zamfara State, Nigeria

By: Abdullahi Yusuf, Mansur Abdullahi, M. M. Abdullahi

Pages: 100–119, Volume: 2, Number: 2

Published by: AEFUNAI Journal of Economics, Finance and Development Studies, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, 9/1/2025, 2025

ISSN (Electronic): 2536-6742

DOI: 10.48028/iiprds/aefunaijefds.v2.i2.06

Security Threats and Agricultural Productivity: Farmers' and Community Leaders' Views on Kidnapping and Banditry in Zamfara State, Nigeria

Abstract:

This study investigates the impacts of insecurity, particularly banditry and kidnapping, on agricultural productivity, household income, and forced migration among farmers in Zamfara State, Nigeria. Data were collected through interviews with 12 community leaders and structured surveys administered to 280 individual farmers across the affected communities in the state. The results from qualitative content and thematic analyses reveal disruption of farming activities, abandonment of farmlands, the collapse of social life, and deep-seated frustration over government neglect as a result of banditry and kidnapping. Results from descriptive statistics show that insecurity has severely undermined food production, eroded farmer incomes, and triggered large-scale displacement. Among the security threats, kidnapping emerged as the most detrimental, followed closely by banditry and protection levies. Inferential analysis using binary logistic regression confirmed that all three insecurity variables significantly increase the odds of declining agricultural output, income loss, and forced migration. Notably, banditry had the strongest predictive effect on reduced productivity, while kidnapping most significantly inEuenced income loss and forced migration. The study concludes that insecurity in its various forms constitutes a critical barrier to agricultural sustainability and rural livelihood resilience in Zamfara State. It calls for a multi-pronged intervention strategy involving improved security presence, targeted agricultural support, and trustworthy government action to rebuild farmer confidence and restore economic stability.

Keywords: Security threats, Banditry, Agricultural productivity, Zamfara State, Food security