Delta State Government has called for harmonious relations between farmers and herders to enhance food security and sustainable development of the state.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Livestock and Inter-ethnic Relations, Chief Jeffrey Azagba, made the call in his remarks at a one-day conference with theme “Promoting harmonious relationships between farmers and herdsmen for sustainable development in Delta State”, held at Government House, Asaba on Friday.
He said Delta State with it’s rich agricultural land and vast water resources, had potentials to be a leading producer of food and economic growth, but often hindered by conflicts between farmers and herders.
According to him, “We have gathered here today at a time when our nation is grappling with the challenges of food security, economic growth and environmental sustainability.
“These conflicts, often fuelled by competition for land, water, and resources can have devastating consequences leading to loss of lives, destruction of property and displacement of communities.”
He said farmers and herdsmen are not supposed to be enemies but partners in the pursuit of food security and sustainable development.
He called for the establishment of farmers-herdsmen dialogue forum to facilitate regular meetings and negotiations between both groups.
Speaking at the meeting, the Special Adviser on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor, frowned at the activities of armed herdsmen and recommended that anti-grazing laws be enforced in addition to implementation of ranching.
Chief Uzor advocated for total disarming of all arm bearing herders, arrest of under age herders, total retooling of Operation Delta Sweep to stamp out activities of criminal minded herdsmen, establishment of taskforces to man entry points into the state, profile herdsmen and identify dens of armed herdsmen.
He sued for peace between genuine herdsmen and host communities to strengthen peaceful coexistence.
In a paper delivered at the event, Professor Daniel Nte Ngboaraji affirmed that the best way to minimise herders and farmers crisis was to identify real herders from criminally minded ones so as to hand the bad ones over to security operatives.
He advised herders to keep at bay anything capable of jeopardising peace and reminded host communities of the need to operate within the confines of the law.
The conference was attended by Representatives of the State Commissioner of Police, Department of State Security Service, Presidents-General of Kingdoms, Clans and Communities, Miyetti Allah Catte breeders association and other stakeholders.
