The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Kwara State have held a one-day dialogue on peace-building among farmers and herdsmen in the state.
The Search for Common Grounds Media Team Initiative organised the novel programme in Ilorin, the state capital.
The theme of the programme was “Dialogue Between Herders and Farming Communities in Kwara”.
In his remarks, the commissioner for Livestock, Mrs Olohuntoyosi Thomas, said dialogue between farmers and herdsmen was crucial for conflict prevention and resolution.
She said dialogue helps to prevent and resolve conflicts by addressing grievances and finding mutually beneficial solutions.
Thomas, represented by the ministry’s director of Livestock Services, Alhaji Muhammed Umar, called for improved understanding between the two groups.
She pointed out that cooperation and collaboration between farmers and herders will ultimately lead to joint initiatives and projects.
The representative of the AFAN, Malam Saeed Atonto, lamented that underage herdsmen on grazing expeditions find it challenging to control their cattle; hence, they stray into farms and destroy farm produce.
He appealed to herders and their owners to protect the interests of the poor farmers because “we are brothers and we need to be united.”
The chairman of MACBAN, Alhaji Garba Shehu, said aggrieved farmers impose outrageous fines on herdsmen when cattle invade their farms, demanding millions of naira for the destruction of farm products.
He appealed to farmers to be considerate in their demands for compensation, as they are stakeholders in the agriculture sector.
Earlier, the Kwara media coordinator of Search for Common Ground, Hajia Fatima Mohammed-Lawal, said the group’s mission is to transform the way people manage conflict, away from violence and toward trust and collaboration.
She described the theme as apt, adding that dialogue can play a crucial role in fostering peace between herders and farmers in Nigeria by addressing their grievances.
Mohammed-Lawal added that dialogue also provides a platform for both parties to express their concerns and grievances, helping to identify and address underlying issues.
