Un Set To Intervene In Herdsmen/farmers’ Crisis
BEVERLY HILLS, November 14,(THEWILL) – The United Nations has concluded plans to intervene in the incessant crisis between herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria so as to increase food production in Nigeria.
This was disclosed by Tall NournMacki, Country Representative, Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) arm of the World body at a workshop on the validation of studies conducted on conflict between farmers and herdsmen and management of grazing reserves.
The workshop also provided stakeholders with a forum to review the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on the responsible Governance of the Tenure of land, fisheries and forests (VGGT).
NournMacki, represented by the FAO Regional Livestock Officer, Bernanu Bedane, said while there were growing competition for the use of land and other natural resources, millions of household in Nigeria and elsewhere in African still depended on agricultural land for their livelihood.
NournMacki said many Nigerians do not have peaceful enjoyment of land resources and that conflict does not aid national growth and economic development declaring that it was important to put in place effective, affordable, accessible and transparent dispute and conflict resolution mechanisms in the interest of peace and national development.
“We may all be aware of the inter-communal tensions that are associated with conflicts between farmers and herdsmen concerning grazing reserves and stock routes,” he said.
“Effort has been made to undertake a study to identify the root cause of such conflicts and create a common foundation for policy dialogue and conflict mediation around such which may be applicable in different parts of Nigeria.
“This workshop is expected to ensure that the recommendations of these reports fall in line with applicable land governance regulations in Nigeria as well as compliant with VGGT implementation principles.
“Efforts at poverty eradication would be a mirage where deserving people are disenfranchised because of conflict as many families have been further impoverished by other conflict situations in the country.”
He said that at this period of change, Nigeria needed the collaboration of all sectors and stakeholders to ensure the desired national success as he urged participants at the workshop to ensure objective and informed discussions and the recommendation of implementable solutions.
Story by Oputah David