By Sule Aliyu Bauchi
A Milestone was recorded in Gombe State, when for the first time in several years, there were no violent clashes between herders and farmers in the state
In previous years, conflicts arising from such infractions between herders and farmers usually resulted in huge casualties on both sides, raising tensions and serious economic consequences.
The Mai Kaltungo Engineer Saleh Muhammad explained that the measures taken by the State, Local Government and the emirate has yielded fruitful results which according to him has reduced violence between herders and farmers in the state during harvest period.
Mai Kaltungo said this while speaking with reporters in his palace on this year harvest season, saying “we have involved all stakeholders and we received all the needed support from.the State Governor and the Local Government Chairmen which has helped in consolidating the peaceful coexistence between herdsmen and farmers”.
He recalled that previously, Fulani herdsmen used to return to the area from the south and north central during harvest with their cows, and whenever they arrived, they will not enter farms until when the farm owners had finished harvesting their crops.
He said the proactive measures taken by the committee such as community engagement programmes, conflict resolution workshops and regular dialogue sessions between the farming and herding communities helped a lot because these initiatives are designed to foster mutual understanding and cooperation in addressing grievances before they escalate into violent clashes,”.
Monarch said that a stable and peaceful agricultural environment not only benefits the local economy but also contributes to national food security by preventing conflicts and ensuring that both farmers and herders can operate without fear of violence.
Mai Kaltungo said the proactive approach serves as a model for conflict resolution and sustainable development, which has demonstrated how effective governance and community collaboration can lead to lasting peace and prosperity and added: “Our main challenges of today is thieves; people are stealing farm produce in our farms which is giving our farmers sleepless nights”
The Monarch warned farmers against selling their farm produce, stressing that there is likelihood of food crisis ahead in the year 2025.(www.krestnews.com).