Veritatis Gaudium: Multidisciplinary Journal of Postgraduate Studies

Insecurity in Ado Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State has significantly disrupted agricultural activities across key agrarian communities, leading to a decline in food production. This study adopts a qualitative research design to examine the impact of insecurity on agricultural production in five selected wards, namely Agila, Igumale, Ulayi, Ijigban, and Utonkon. Data were collected through 15 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and 10 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) involving 25 participants, supplemented by secondary sources drawn from government reports, textbooks, and academic publications. The data were analysed thematically using the Failed State Theory as a guiding analytical framework. Findings reveal that insecurity in Ado LGA is multidimensional and characterized by herder invasions of farming communities, theft, communal conflicts, and forced displacement. The study further shows that these forms of insecurity have significantly reduced agricultural productivity due to limited access to labour, transport services, storage facilities, and essential farm inputs. Consequently, food production and rural livelihoods in Ado LGA have been adversely affected. The study concludes that sustainable, inclusive, and well-coordinated policy interventions, particularly inter-agency collaboration, strengthened security networks, agricultural support programmes, and community engagement, are essential for addressing insecurity-induced food production challenges. It recommends that government authorities enhance farm security through coordinated patrols involving formal security agencies and community vigilante groups. Furthermore, consistent interventions such as input subsidies and agricultural extension services should be implemented in collaboration with local leaders and farmer associations to strengthen resilience and safeguard food production in Ado LGA.

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