Farmers-herders crisis: Forum demands resolution commission

Stakeholders at a conference yesterday in Abuja urged the Federal Government to immediately set up a Peace and Conflict Resolution Commission to address the protracted farmers-herders crisis in the country.

They also urged the government to strengthen security arrangements to make both farmers and herders feel safe.

They proposal however said the for grazing reserves should beginning states.

The recommendations are contained in a communiqué of a two-day conference organized by The Nation Newspapers and TV Continental (TVC) News in Abuja.

The session attended by representatives of farmers’ groups, cattle breeders and herders, traditional rulers, state governments, security agencies and members of the diplomatic community be with embraced, consenting among others also want the revitalization of river basin authorities. The communiqué, which was read by Dr. Kayode Samuel, said: “The Summit was conceived as an open forum to promote frank exchange of ideas on burning issues of national and international concern, with particular regard to the herdsmen-farmers clashes across the country, with a view to seeking workable and enduring solutions.”

According to communiqué, discussants of the the three keynote address, Prof. Biodun Adeloye, Prof. N.A. Gworgwor and Dr. Eustace Iyayi in their perspectives stressed the need to modify nomadism to the advantage of the practitioners and counseled that the nomad needs to combine tilling with nomadism by producing crops like maize on which to nurture their herd.

“Governments should draw up implementation timelines for whatever suggestions are proffered for a more harmonious farmers-herders relationship,” it added.