By Khalid Idris Doya
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Abuja, has called on stakeholders to take active roles in promoting peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders, stressing that sustainable peace remains critical to national development and food security.
The team lead of the Institute, Barr. Paul Andrew Gwaza, made the call on Tuesday during a Component Three Crisis Prevention and Conflict Mitigation Services training organised by the Institute in collaboration with the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project in Bauchi.
Gwaza explained that the initiative is a federal government programme designed for the benefit of all Nigerians and not restricted to Bauchi State alone.
According to him, the programme seeks to drastically reduce recurring conflicts between farmers and herders, which have continued to claim lives, destroy livelihoods and undermine national development.
He noted that violence benefits neither farmers nor pastoralists, stressing that both groups, as well as the nation, suffer enormous losses whenever conflicts occur.
"The farmers lose, the herders lose, and ultimately Nigeria loses. That is why everyone must contribute to building a society where both farmers and pastoralists can thrive peacefully," he said.
Gwaza added that the institute remains committed to promoting sustainable peace and development that will benefit both present and future generations.
He urged participants to maximise the four-day training by paying close attention to the resource persons and acquiring practical skills in conflict prevention and resolution.
He expressed confidence that the knowledge gained would be replicated in communities across the state to strengthen peace, unity, agricultural productivity and harmonious coexistence.
Gwaza also appreciated the Bauchi State Government, the Ministry of Livestock Development and other stakeholders for supporting the initiative, reaffirming the institute's commitment to working with communities to achieve lasting peace.
In his part, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr. Bala Musa Lukshi, reaffirmed the state government's commitment to reducing farmer-herder conflicts through the enforcement of the Right-of-Way Law, reopening blocked cattle routes and strengthening collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
He described the recurring clashes between farmers and herders as one of the most pressing security and socio-economic challenges confronting Bauchi State and the wider northern region.
According to him, although disputes between the two groups have existed for generations, they have become increasingly violent and destructive in recent years.
Lukshi commended the national and state offices of the L-PRES Project for establishing a dedicated Conflict Resolution Committee and organising the capacity-building workshop to equip members with practical conflict prevention and management skills.
He said the conflicts have resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property and livelihoods, making the committee's assignment critical to protecting lives and ensuring peaceful coexistence.
The commissioner disclosed that the state government had intensified efforts to reopen blocked cattle routes after discovering that many traditional livestock routes had been obstructed, forcing animals onto highways and contributing to road accidents, loss of livestock and destruction of property.
He explained that Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed approved the establishment of a 45-metre right-of-way on both sides of major roads to prevent farming activities that obstruct livestock movement.
Lukshi revealed that the governor has assented to the Right-of-Way Law, providing the legal framework for effective enforcement, while a mobile court headed by a magistrate has been established to prosecute offenders.
He announced that the mobile court would commence operations on August 5, warning that anyone found violating the law would face the prescribed legal sanctions.
The commissioner appealed to traditional rulers, security agencies, farmers and pastoralists to support the government's efforts by sensitising their communities and encouraging compliance with the law.
He added that the government plans to extend the right-of-way initiative to additional roads across the state next year to further promote peaceful coexistence and improve livestock and agricultural productivity
Also speaking, the Bauchi State Coordinator of the L-PRES Project, Dr. Musa Adamu One, reaffirmed the project's commitment to reducing farmer-herder conflicts through strategic investments in water supply, pasture development, livestock infrastructure and conflict resolution mechanisms.
Represented by the project's Environmental Officer, Habila Simon Dallami, the coordinator described L-PRES as a World Bank-assisted project implemented in partnership with the Federal Government and participating state governments to improve livestock commercialisation, productivity and resilience to climate change
He said Bauchi State has established a Conflict Resolution Committee chaired by the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr. Bala Musa Lukshi, which has been actively resolving disputes between farmers and herders for more than a year.
According to him, the project has drilled 48 boreholes across the state's three senatorial districts to improve access to water for livestock and farming communities.
He added that L-PRES has established 20 hectares of pasture in three communities to reduce pressure on grazing resources and minimise land-use disputes.
The coordinator further disclosed that the project has constructed 10 modern slaughterhouses in 10 local government areas and is constructing five additional facilities, all relocated away from residential areas to reduce environmental pollution.
He said the World Bank has also approved the establishment of 20 sedentary pasture sites, each measuring 0.5 hectares, as well as eight engineered water-retention structures in livestock-producing clusters.
According to him, approval has equally been secured for the drilling of 60 additional boreholes along producer clusters, stock routes and grazing reserves to ease competition over water resources.
He expressed optimism that the interventions would significantly reduce farmer-herder conflicts before the project ends.
Dallami further disclosed that the Conflict Resolution Committee has successfully resolved between 70 and 80 per cent of complaints received from farmers and herders, describing the achievement as evidence of the committee's effectiveness.
He urged participants to make the most of the training and apply the knowledge gained in their communities to sustain peace in Bauchi State and across the country.
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