As the farming season arrives, concerns regarding potential violence between farmers and herders have led stakeholders to advocate for improved community-based resolution strategies in Niger State. This initiative was highlighted during a training session in Minna, hosted by the Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) through their Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) and the Commodity Alliance Forum (CAF).
Dr. Diamond Preye Nebechukwu, who leads the Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute for Peace and Sustainable Development Studies, noted that rural conflicts have grown increasingly intricate. She pointed to factors such as climate change, migration, land scarcity, and insecurity as significant contributors. Dr. Nebechukwu emphasized that finding long-term solutions requires tackling these underlying causes and empowering traditional institutions to handle disputes effectively and impartially.
Abdulazeez Abubakar, Secretary of the Niger State CAF, stated that the training is vital because disagreements over farmland and grazing routes frequently spike during peak agricultural activity. By training community leaders to utilize dialogue, the goal is to resolve issues locally before they necessitate police or legal intervention. Hajiya Hadizat Isah, the VCDP Programme Coordinator, underscored that violence hampers agricultural productivity, making conflict management an essential component of the program. Representatives from agricultural ministries, law enforcement agencies, and local community groups attended the session to ensure a collaborative approach to peacebuilding.
