The economic activities in Nigeria clearly show that over 60 percent of the population are
engaged in agriculture for their livelihoods directly or indirectly. However overtime especially in
the last decade, a dwindling state of agriculture and the decreasing number of farming population
mostly in Northern Nigeria, known for the production of over 70 percent of the food crops in the
country and other West African countries call for concern. Recent geographical survey has
attributed these happenings to desert encroachment into farmlands caused by the changes in
climatic conditions. In view of these, this study therefore seeks to observe the adjustment and
coping strategies of individuals in the affected communities, it examines the communal conflicts
among the people and government interventions in reducing the problems associated with
climatic change. The study employed principally qualitative methodology: in-depth interviews,
observations and focus group discussions, among a cross section of 1200 households drawn
randomly and via a snowballing sampling method in four states (Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano and
Borno), in Northern Nigeria. Major findings from the study showed that desert encroachment on
farmlands is forcing a lot of youths to migrate and seek non-agricultural employment in urban
centres, as well as deviant survival strategies such as crime and prostitutions. It was also
observed, that as desert encroaches farmlands, community disputes and conflicts over fertile
lands increased, and the problem of internally displaced persons were inevitable. Lastly,
government interventions were claimed by 70 percent of the respondents to be non existent, slow
and limited to economic compensations in some communities. This study concludes and
recommends among other things, the need for government, the farming population, and the
scientific communities to help in averting desert encroachment and the emanating conflict from
climate change.