Farmer-herder Crisis: Kano Policymakers, Stakeholders seek Solution

The Kano State government has called on policymakers and other stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the incessant farmers-herdsmen conflict in the country.

Specifically, the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna made the call at a 5-day training on conflict management and resolution for the Kano State Stock Routes Demarcation Committee on Tuesday, organised by the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) in collaboration with the SMAKAIYA Agricultural Consult Limited.

Giving the keynote address, Gawuna stressed the need for Nigeria to evolve home-grown mechanisms that will contain the spate of clashes between the farmers and herders.

Gawuna, who doubles as the state’s commissioner for agriculture, noted that timely intervention in conflict management, like the farmer/herder clashes, by traditional leaders was strategic in preventing the breakdown of law and order to save the lives and properties of the citizenry.

His words, “This issue of farmers-herdsmen conflict is a very serious national security matter which must not be treated with levity. Managing the conflict is necessary for peace and stability, without which developmental activities cannot be executed by the government.

“There is competing demand for diminishing land resources between farmers and herdsmen and this has often resulted in disagreements, with unfortunate social, food security and economic implications.”

The deputy governor, who was represented by the permanent secretary, ministry of agriculture, Malam Balarabe Hassan Karaye, said to efficiently manage the farmer-herders conflicts, the state government initiated the KSADP Project, which was designed as multi-dimensional poverty alleviation, food security and conflict mitigation strategy.

He added that the establishment of the Dansoshiya Grazing Reserve under the KSAPD project, wouldserve as a model for settling herdsmen in one location and thus promoting peace.

Remarking, the Managing Director, KNARDA, Dr Junaidu Yakubu Muhammad disclosed that the state government had set up stock route committees, at the state and local government levels, to prevent crises involving herders and farmers

“Through the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, the state government has demonstrated a genuine political will to modernize agriculture and pastoralism. This workshop is, therefore, a step in the course,” Muhammad said.

On his part, the state Project Coordinator, Malam Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, said conflict mitigation intervention was vital towards achieving the overall development objective of the project.

“No one can go to the farm or look after cattle or sell milk if there is no peace,” he said

.source  agronigeria