FG Holds Conference to Stop Herdsmen-Farmers’ Conflict

By Dipo Olowookere

A conference has been fixed for this week by the Federal Government aimed at finding lasting solutions to recurring crop farmers/pastoralists’ conflict.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Audu Ogbeh, while highlighting issues to be discussed at the forthcoming meeting, pointed out that cattle banditry has resulted in wanton loss of lives, properties and the depletion of Nigeria’s national herd.

On Friday, he hosted the team from the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) where he said the continuous engagement with global and regional bodies will be a major focus at the programme.

He also drew attention to the issue of access to land, land tenure security, infrastructure, inputs, management strategies, access to finance and markets and marketing of livestock and livestock products.

He assured of the Federal Government`s commitment to handling them, saying, “We understand very well that the issue of pastoralist/farmers clash goes beyond Nigeria.

“Other nations like Ghana, Togo, and Benin also suffer from similar issue. We are not just solving a national issue, we are solving a regional and global issue.

“Whatever solution we get here, we would also link up with our neighbours in West and Central Africa to ensure a lasting solution.”