The European Union funded Managing Conflicts in Nigeria (MCN) Programme has described the population increase and decline in the availability of land for farming as major sources of farmer/herder conflict in Nigeria.
MCN Technical Lead Dr Ukiwo Ukoha stated this during a one day policy dialogue on the perennial farmer-herder conflicts in Yobe State.
The policy dialogue, which was organized in partnership with the state pilot livestock project brought participants and stakeholders from government, security agencies, farmers and herders association among others.
In his address, the state team leader of the MCN Programme in Yobe Abdulkadir Sambo urged the participants to open up in discussing the subject matter which was aimed at influencing harmonious working relationship between the groups.
Sambo appealed on the stakeholders to see the meeting as an opportunity to review progress made in the state with regards to containing the farmer-herder conflicts in the state.
He added that Yobe is considered as the third largest state with livestock in the entire West African sub region.
“We must therefore do all that we could to ensure communities live in peace so as to allow economic activities to thrive and provide opportunities for youths to engage themselves”.
Meanwhile, the National Secretary Miyetti Allah Cattle Breaders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Baba Usman Ngelzerma and the State Chairman All Farmers Association of Nigeria(AFAN), Usman Ngarai have welcomed the peace initiative towards mitigating the conflicts between the two groups.
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