News in brief:
– The Adamawa State government is working with traditional rulers to reduce herder-farmer clashes, focusing on community-based solutions.
– An association of women farmers highlighted the impact of gender-based violence on women farmers, which worsens food insecurity in Nigeria.
The Adamawa State government has called on traditional rulers to play a more active role in preventing the frequent clashes between herders and farmers that have significantly disrupted agricultural activities in the region.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri issued the directive during a state Security Council meeting at the Government House in Yola, asking monarchs to facilitate constant dialogues between farmers and herders within their territories.
Collaborative efforts to prevent clashes
At the meeting, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Awwal Tukur, outlined the steps the state government intends to take to resolve the issue. He emphasised the importance of increasing agricultural investments and reestablishing grazing reserves to ensure sustainable solutions to the conflict.
Tukur also mentioned that training conferences will be organised for traditional rulers and their subjects to address the influx of trans-border herders into the state, further complicating the already tense situation.
The Adamawa government’s initiative aims to create a cooperative environment where herders and farmers can address their grievances peacefully, reducing the chances of violent outbreaks that often lead to farmland destruction and livestock loss.
As part of the strategy, the government plans to replicate these security meetings at the local government level to craft community-specific solutions. This will ensure that each locality addresses the issue in a way tailored to its unique challenges, fostering harmony and reducing the impact of these clashes on the agricultural sector.
Challenges faced by women farmers
In a related development, the Smallholder Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria (SWOFON) has raised concerns about the rising incidents of gender-based violence and its impact on food security.
The FCT Chairperson, Comfort Sunday, shared her frustrations over the destruction of her maize farm by cattle, an experience that many of her members face. She highlighted the vulnerability of women farmers who are often unable to defend themselves against such attacks.
According to SWOFON Secretary Nnana Mercy, women farmers experience various forms of violence, including physical assault, sexual harassment, and emotional abuse, which severely affects their mental health and productivity. Such violence has led to many abandoning their farming activities, exacerbating food insecurity in the country.
Both the government and advocacy groups like SWOFON are emphasizing the need for improved security and better protection for farmers, particularly women, who face a disproportionate amount of violence. The collective effort to address herder-farmer conflicts and gender-based violence is crucial for ensuring the stability of Nigeria’s agricultural sector and food security.
