Insecurity and Deterioration of Farm Settlement Scheme in Edo State

This paper examines insecurity and the deterioration of the farm settlement scheme in Edo State from 2007 to the present. The scheme is a government initiative aimed at promoting rural development, increasing food production, and providing employment opportunities for unemployed young school leavers. Historically, the scheme significantly reduced unemployment in Edo State by creating jobs and income for settlers and nearby communities, thereby contributing to the state's economic development. Over time, however, the scheme has deteriorated largely due to insecurity, among other factors. Relevant literature on the subject was reviewed. The theoretical framework is anchored on the Frustration-Aggression Theory developed by John Dollard, Neal Miller, Leonard Doob, Orval Mowrer, and Robert Sears in 1939, as well as Karl Marx‟s Conflict Theory in 1867. The study relied on secondary data obtained from the researcher‟s previous work on the revitalization of the farm settlement scheme and unemployment reduction in Edo State, along with other sources such as the internet, online journals, and publications. The data were analyzed thematically. The analysis revealed that the farm settlement scheme in Edo State historically created numerous employment opportunities for settlers and surrounding communities, thereby improving the overall economy of the state. However, the study also found that the scheme has declined to the extent that some settlers have abandoned their farms, primarily due to insecurity caused by herder-farmer clashes, kidnapping for ransom, banditry, and other factors. The paper recommends several strategies to address the insecurity impacting the farm settlement scheme, including the enhancement of security infrastructure and patrols, community-based security initiatives, land tenure system reforms, and strengthening policy frameworks.