Youth group seeks permanent solution to farmers, herdsmen clashes

TO ensure abundant food production locally to meet the country’s food needs and save the country huge food import bills, a youth group, The Global Development Foundation has commenced an advocacy programme aimed at fostering lasting peace between farmers and herdsmen across the country.

Also, the group, a not for profit (NGO) organization, has flagged off a package in partnership with the Bank of Agriculture to promote at least 1,000 young farmers across the country to boost farming and other food production chain. The plan was revealed by the founder of the group, Mr. Elvis Orejobi.

He declared that the need for a peaceful co-existence between farmers and herdsmen has become imperative if the country’s vision of self-sufficiency in food production is to be realised, adding that with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Office in Nigeria, his group has begun an inquiry into the constant clashes between farmers and pastoralists with a view to proffering permanent solution and ensure food security for the country.

His words: “We have commenced a pilot study of the root causes of constant friction between farmers and herdsmen and the pilot location is the Fulani Settlement in Katamkpe, Abuja. From our interaction with the Fulanis, we have found out that they feel marginalised in the provision of social amenities. That’s why they vent their anger on the farmers.

“You need to see the degrading environment where they live. We believe that if government can intervene in the provision of basic social infrastructure such as light, water and health facilities for Fulani settlements, it can go a long way in dousing tension and fostering good neighbourliness between them and farmers. From our findings, the herdsmen view farmers with envy as people who are favoured in terms of amenities provided by the government,” Orejobi further revealed.