Stakeholders Seek Solutions To Farmers-Herders Crisis

Stakeholders comprising government officials, traditional leaders, farmers, herders, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called for lasting solutions to address the farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria.

They made the call on Sunday in Abuja, during the third Annual National Conference on the Management of Farmer-Herder Relations in Nigeria.

Speaking at the conference, the Executive Director of Neem Foundation, Dr. Fatima Akilu, argued that the increasing frequency of droughts and unpredictable weather patterns are exacerbating the crisis, and called for the urgent adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices and sustainable resource management.

“We must confront the multifaceted nature of these conflicts,” Akilu said. “Climate change remains a formidable challenge, intensifying the competition for vital resources such as water, grazing lands, and arable soil.”

She further emphasised the importance of community-driven solutions, noting that rebuilding trust within affected communities is essential for effective dialogue and conflict resolution.

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“Traditional and religious leaders are pivotal in this process, serving as influential voices and mediators within their communities. Their involvement, along with the active participation of women and youth, is crucial in fostering peace and cooperation at the grassroots level,” she said.

In addressing insecurity and resource competition, Dr Akilu advised the government to explore and implement innovative conflict resolution systems that promote equitable resource sharing.

She urged the government to integrate alternative dispute resolution methods to prevent and mitigate conflicts.

In his remarks, the Executive Director of the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, emphasised the need to implement climate change and community-driven solutions to resolve the lingering farmer-herder conflicts.

Ochogwu noted that these conflicts are rooted in a combination of historical, environmental, economic, and socio-political factors, with climate change standing as a formidable and escalating challenge.

“The prolonged droughts and unseasonal floods we are experiencing are not mere inconveniences but profound disruptors of our agricultural and pastoral systems,” he said.

Ochogwu added, “These environmental changes exacerbate the competition for limited resource land, water, and grazing areas which fuels tensions between communities.”

For his part, the paramount ruler of Doma, His Royal Highness, Andoma of Doma, Alhaji Ahmadu Aliyu Oga Onawo, urged policymakers to adopt a holistic approach, considering historical, social, and economic factors to find lasting solutions.

He stressed the need for the government to address the underlying issues rather than just treating the symptoms.

“A lot of literature has been passed at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution, but implementation is always a problem,” Doma said, adding, “When points are articulated, challenges identified, and solutions provided, what follows is the implementation. That is what has been lacking all this while.”

He further called for follow-up on recommendations to ensure the implementation of the decisions made during such conferences.

“We articulate the situation, identify the challenges, provide solutions, but implementation always becomes a problem. That is why we are where we are today.”