Conflict Resolution and Rural Development as Tools to Achieving Sustainable Food Production in Nigeria

Abstract

The quest to attain sustainable food production in Nigeria requires concerted efforts towards creating a peaceful and conducive environment for agricultural and economic activities to thrive as no meaningful progress would be made in a state of chaos. Conflict resolution has become an integral part of democratic institutional design for global community. Nigeria has witnessed series of community conflicts that have raised political tension and disrupted social, economic, religious and cultural activities of the nation. This paper examined the meaning of conflict and its major theories. The causes of conflicts in communities and means of resolving them were highlighted. Also discussed were concepts of rural development, sustainable agricultural development and food production. The paper concluded that conflict resolution and rural development are the only means to attain sustainable food production in Nigeria and recommended among others that conflict alert committee to be set up to engage in conflict prevention among communities in Nigeria.