The Federal Government says it is set to build Rural Grazing Area Settlements, (RUGA), for herders, and provide clusters to farmers to avoid encroaching on grazing routes, as part of concerted efforts to address herder/farmer violent conflict in the country.
The Assistant Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Garba Mohammed, made this known, during a stakeholders meeting, convened by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), Zamfara State Command, to enlighten and educate herders and farmers, on the importance of peaceful coexistence.
It also aimed at encouraging the stakeholders to work together, towards boosting food security, as the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), assured of giving herders and farmers protection, through its Agro Rangers, to go about their activities.
The meeting brought together stakeholders from the agricultural sector to brainstorm on how best to stem the tide of violent clashes between herders and farmers in Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria.
It is also to restore peace in troubled rural communities, to enable farmers to access their farmlands so that there could be enough food for Nigerians.
In his opening remarks, the State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Sani Mustapha, said that the Federal Government had recently deployed ten thousand Agro Rangers across the country, to safeguard farmlands and protect farmers and herders, to ensure a bumper harvest, and to guarantee food security.
The representative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Garba Mohammed, said the ministry constructed RUGA, where they provided grasses and water to stop herders from going about grazing, adding that the federal government believes that doing this will address the long-year herders/farmers conflict.
The Emir of Gusau, represented by the Secretary of the Emirate Council, Sambo A. Sambo, commended the Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ahmed Audi, and the Zamfara State Commandant, Sani Mustapha, for initiating the Agro Rangers, who are working assiduously to tackle herder/farmer conflict in the state.
The representative of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, (RIFAN), noted that the world has changed, hence the need for herders and farmers to change the way they graze and farm.
He supported the idea of establishing RUGA as a way of ending clashes between herders and farmers.
The players in the agricultural sector were bold and frank in their discussion, and most of them agreed with the representative of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, that some farmers have taken over their grazing routes.
The Zamfara State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources promised to look into the issue and address it, towards creating a conducive environment for all to operate peacefully.
(Editor: Okechukwu Eze)
