Group train farmers On crisis prevention, resolution in Edo State

The Global Peace Development (GPD) on Friday trained farmers, herders, and stakeholders on strategies to prevent and resolve conflicts between farmers and herders in Edo state.

The three-day training, which began on Thursday, was organised in collaboration with the Edo State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) and the World Bank.

In his address, GPD Executive Director, Onajite Ebruke, stated that the training aimed to equip farmers and herders with skills to prevent, mitigate, and resolve conflicts effectively.

Ebruke highlighted that participants would gain insights into the impact of violent conflicts on citizens and livestock value chains, as well as the importance of peaceful coexistence in local communities.

He noted that the training would empower community peace agents to track and analyse early warning signals to prevent violent confrontations.

According to him, the training is also to enable them understand reconciliation strategies for resolving disputes an well as develop collaborative mechanisms for conflict resolution.

“Until people engage in honest dialogue, mutual reconciliation, and justice-driven conflict resolution, peace cannot be guaranteed in our communities,” Ebruke emphasised.

Ebruke described the farmer-herder crisis as a competition for resources and business expansion, rather than an ethnic or religious issue.

“The practical solution to this challenge lies in justice-driven reconciliation, as mere ceasefire calls will not address the deeper underlying issues,” he said.

He further explained that true reconciliation required justice for victims, ensuring that those who violated laws face consequences that deterred future offences.

“If offenders are not held accountable, violations become normalised, undermining peace and fueling a cycle of lawlessness,” he warned.

“The best way to maintain peace is to uphold justice through fair and consistent law enforcement.”

Ebruke also urged the government to establish local peace resilience committees to analyse early warning data and intervene before violence escalates.

Speaking at the event, Edo L-PRES Coordinator, Betsy Ikpikhumi, stated that the training aimed to improve livestock productivity, strengthen resilience, and enhance crisis response capacity in Edo state.

Ikpikhumi noted that reducing conflicts between farmers and herders would help curb violence and minimise its negative impact on Edo’s economy and livelihoods.

She encouraged participants to actively engage with facilitators, ensuring that the lessons learnt contributed to sustainable peace and socio-economic development in Edo state communities.
NAN / Foluke Ibitomi