Journal of Development Communication And Applied Theatre

The paper examined the challenges of implementing Benue State’s Anti-Open Grazing Law and its socio-economic impact on people and communities in selected Local Government Areas (LGAs). The study focused on awareness of the law, perceived implementation challenges, and socio-economic impacts on livelihoods, security, displacement and community relations. Enacted in 2017 to prohibit open grazing and promote ranching, the law was designed to curb farmer– herder violence, protect farmlands, enhance food security, and modernise livestock production. However, persistent conflict, displacement and livelihood losses suggest a gap between policy intention and outcomes. Guided by Policy Implementation Theory, the study interrogated how institutional capacity, communication practices and stakeholder responses shape implementation and its effects on everyday life in affected communities. A mixed-methods design was adopted. Quantitatively, structured questionnaires were administered to 400 sampled residents of Agatu, Guma and Kwande LGAs, of which 318 were correctly completed and analysed using descriptive statistics. Qualitatively, Focus Group Discussions, Oral Interviews and Key Informant Interviews were conducted with farmers, herders, traditional rulers, community members, policy implementers and media practitioners. Findings reveal substantial scepticism about the effectiveness of implementation: although 47.2% of respondents believe the law is being enforced to some degree, 52.8% somewhat or strongly doubt government effectiveness. Communication emerges as a major constraint; 40.9% are satisfied with government communication on the law, 37.1% are dissatisfied, and 22.0% are neutral, indicating uneven, often inadequate sensitisation. Qualitative evidence shows that enforcement is perceived as “mixed” and irregular, with continuing tensions, displacement and livelihood disruption. Farmers report only partial protection of land, while herders feel pushed out and insufficiently supported to transition to ranching. The study concluded that implementation weaknesses—limited institutional capacity, inconsistent enforcement, poor communication and inadequate livelihood support—have constrained the law’s ability to deliver its intended socio-economic benefits. It recommended strengthening enforcement capacity and coordination, adopting comprehensive multilingual communication strategies, providing targeted support for both farmers and herders, institutionalising participatory monitoring mechanisms, and promoting conflict-sensitive, peace-oriented media practice.

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