Farmer–Herder Clash: Gov Mohammed Warns Against Land Grabbing

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has warned local government chairmen, traditional rulers and other officials against land grabbing and encroachment into forest reserves.

He declared that such actions were fuelling the recurring farmers–herders’ clashes in the state.

Speaking in Akuyam while flagging off the 2026 Irrigation and Dry Season Farming Programme, the governor said forest reserves must not be tampered with for personal or political interests at the expense of peace and food security.

He stressed that herders must be allowed access to designated reserve areas to source pasture for their cattle, warning that encroachment into grazing corridors and forest lands deepens mistrust and violent confrontations between farming and pastoral communities.

“We must protect our forest reserves and ensure that land allocation is done responsibly. Land grabbing and illegal de-reservation will only worsen tension,” the governor cautioned.

As part of efforts to boost agricultural productivity and reduce dependence on rain-fed farming, Mohammed announced that the state government had procured mini tractors, water pumps, improved seeds and other farm implements for distribution to farmers’ cooperatives under the 2026 irrigation scheme.

However, he expressed disappointment over the quantity of equipment displayed at the event.

“I am surprised that what I see is less than what I approved,” he said, directing relevant officials to account for the shortfall.

He urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the tools to increase yields, expand dry season cultivation and strengthen food security across the state.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Iliyasu Gital, commended the governor for what he described as unwavering support to the agricultural sector.

Gital said the ministry was pursuing result-oriented initiatives, including the deployment of agricultural extension agents to rural communities to provide hands-on technical support to farmers.

He added that more women were being integrated into the agricultural value chain, particularly in processing and aggregation, while rural farmers remained the primary targets of government interventions aimed at boosting productivity and achieving sustainable food security.

The renewed push for irrigation farming comes amid rising concerns over food inflation and climate-induced disruptions, with the state government positioning agriculture as both an economic lifeline and a pathway to lasting peace.