President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken a bold stance on the long-standing conflict between farmers and herders in Nigeria, promising a swift resolution within the next two to three weeks. The declaration came during the inauguration of a mechanized agricultural project in Minna, Niger State, where the president expressed his commitment to addressing and ending the cycle of violence that has affected the agricultural sector for years.
Underlining the importance of agricultural development and security, President Tinubu outlined his plan to implement programs designed to cease the recurring clashes that have hindered agricultural productivity and posed a significant threat to national food security. “We must reorient our farming population, including the livestock program,” Tinubu emphasized, highlighting the potential for Nigeria to achieve self-sufficiency in food production, including providing daily milk to school pupils, if the challenges are effectively managed.
The president’s approach involves a comprehensive reorientation of both herders and farmers towards sustainable and conflict-free agricultural practices. This strategy includes making provisions for cattle rearing that respect crop lands and vegetations, thereby preventing the economic sabotage associated with livestock encroaching on farmlands.
To facilitate this ambitious plan, President Tinubu has called on state governors to allocate lands necessary for the implementation of his proposed programs. This collaborative effort between the federal and state governments aims to create a harmonious agricultural environment that benefits all stakeholders involved.
As Nigeria grapples with the dual challenges of ensuring food security and resolving longstanding conflicts, President Tinubu’s initiative represents a hopeful step towards sustainable peace and prosperity in the agricultural sector. The nation now looks forward to the unveiling of the president’s comprehensive programme, which promises to offer a lasting solution to the farmers-herders crisis that has plagued the country for years.
