The scattered settlement pattern of the Tiv of the Middle Belt is owing to the?

The scattered settlement pattern of the Tiv of the Middle Belt is due to their agricultural practices in the region. The Tiv people are predominantly farmers, and their scattered settlement pattern is a result of their traditional method of farming. They practice shifting cultivation, also known as slash-and-burn agriculture, which involves clearing land, burning vegetation, and planting crops for a few years until the soil becomes depleted of nutrients. Then, they move on to clear new land and repeat the process. This method of farming requires a lot of space and land, which is why the Tiv people have a scattered settlement pattern. Therefore, the answer is agricultural practices of the region.