The Kogi Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) has inaugurated a 17-member committee on conflict prevention and resolution to address clashes between farmers and herders in the state.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Lokoja on Thursday, Dr. Olufemi Bolarin, the State Coordinator of L-PRES, hailed the initiative as a significant step toward mitigating farmer-herder conflicts in the state.
He noted that the formation of the committee marks a turning point, showcasing Kogi L-PRES’s commitment to effective conflict management. Dr. Bolarin emphasized that Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has great confidence in the committee’s ability to manage conflicts diligently and effectively.
“This committee will be central in educating and communicating with both farmers and herders. Additionally, we are on the verge of launching the National Animal Traceability and Identification program in Kogi State, sponsored by the Federal Government,” he stated. He further highlighted that the committee should adhere to their responsibilities and follow a strategic plan to mitigate crises.
Hon. Timothy Ojomah, Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security and chairman of the committee, emphasized the importance of resolving conflicts between farmers and herders to ensure sustainable food security. He described the inauguration as timely, coinciding with significant investments in the state’s agricultural sector. Hon. Ojomah urged the committee members to take their roles seriously, noting the high level of trust placed in them.
“Our mandate includes identifying grazing routes, water access points for animals, and farmlands,” he added.
In his presentation titled “Dialogue in Pursuit of Peace between Farmers-Herders Communities,” Olugbenro Olajuyigbe, Director of Emergency and Risk Alert, suggested that the state adopt effective strategies to reduce clashes. He recommended using anonymous mechanisms, hearing the perspectives of both farmers and herders, establishing local government platforms, and maintaining conflict diaries as measures to prevent conflicts.
