Abstract
This study examines the effect of insecurity on the sustainability of agricultural cooperative societies in Benue State, Nigeria. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, data from 97 cooperative members reveal that insecurity significantly disrupts cooperative functions and resilience. The findings indicate that 39.2% of respondents frequently experience attacks, with a mean severity score of 3.85 (SD=1.01), and 36.1% report severe asset losses, with a mean of 3.84 (SD=1.13). The dimensions of insecurity encompass physical threats, economic losses, and social destabilization, which collectively undermine production continuity (mean=1.98, SD=0.67) and market access (mean=2.24, SD=0.74). Despite widespread adoption of coping strategies such as relocating meeting venues (used by 80%) and seeking external support (used by 90%) their perceived efficacy remains low, with external support rated at 1.7 out of 5. Regional disparities are evident, with cooperatives in Makurdi showing significantly higher sustainability scores across all dimensions compared to those in Guma, Gwer West, and Ukum (p<0.001). The overall sustainability index averages 2.22 (SD=0.59), indicating moderate to low resilience. The study recommends enhancing security measures, developing effective mitigation strategies, supporting regional best practices, and implementing targeted policies to bolster cooperative resilience. Addressing insecurity is crucial for ensuring the long-term viability of agricultural cooperatives, which are vital for Nigeria’s food security and rural development. These findings underscore the urgent need for integrated security and development interventions to sustain agricultural productivity in conflict-affected areas of Benue State.