Stakeholders Seek Lasting Solution to Farmers/Herders Crisis to Boost Livestock Production

Fidelis David in Akure

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s livestock sector have called on the federal government to urgently find a lasting solution to recurring farmers–herders clashes across the country, warning that the persistent conflict is undermining efforts to transform the livestock industry into a major driver of national revenue and food security.

The call was made yesterday during the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Stakeholders’ Engagement Plan and Roundtable held in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The programme was organised by Ondo L-PRES in partnership with the federal government, Ondo State Government, Global Peace Development, and the World Bank, and brought together representatives of federal and state institutions, local government authorities, traditional and religious bodies, livestock producers, crop farmers, and private sector actors, among others.

Speaking at the gathering, the resource person, Professor Jude Momodu, director of the Centre for Peace and Security Studies, Modibo Adama University, said the livestock sector had suffered decades of violent conflict due to the absence of a coherent national strategy.

According to him, “For more than two decades, the livestock sector has been plagued by violent conflict, particularly between farmers and herders.

“The National Livestock Plan and Strategy introduced by the federal government is designed to reverse the trend by transforming breeding, production,n and the entire livestock value chain in Nigeria.

“The policy seeks to restructure the sector, bring in more stakeholders, rs and expand their capacity to participate meaningfully. The overall objective is to make the sector economically viable in terms of generating income for the federal government, state governments, and practitioners within the sector.”

He noted that the engagement in Akure was aimed at ensuring collective ownership of the policy by all actors. “That is why we are here today in Akure to engage stakeholders from the federal, state, and local governments, as well as the private sector, and those involved in the livestock value chain. If properly implemented, it will help transform the sector,” he said.

Drawing examples from other countries, Momodu said Nigeria could unlock enormous economic benefits if conflicts were resolved, stressing that: “Several countries today, including Belgium and Egypt, rely heavily on revenue from livestock.

Egypt alone has over 100 million cattle. This shows how much livestock contributes to national income. If the same approach is adopted in Nigeria, it will not only mitigate conflict but also empower actors within the sector to see livestock as a business rather than as a source of violence and destruction,” he said.

On the farmers–herders’ crisis, Momodu described it as a product of poor sector management, noting that: “It has been a major challenge because there has not been a creative and dynamic national strategy to address the livestock sector and change the mindset of its actors. This sector is robust enough to generate income for both the government and the private sector.”

He added that peace was a prerequisite for growth in the sector, adding, “Once conflict is mitigated, there will be inclusion and a peaceful atmosphere to conduct activities within the livestock value chain.

“The crisis emerged largely due to mismanagement of the sector, but the current administration under President Bola Tinubu is working to transform it from a conflict-prone sector into one that generates revenue and income for all participants.”

Momodu also identified capital, feeding, and breed quality as major challenges confronting livestock production in Nigeria.

“Capital is a major challenge, and feeding is also a serious issue because livestock production requires substantial financial input. However, the National Livestock Plan and Strategy has created opportunities for access to capital through banks, the federal government, and donor agencies,” he stated.

Also speaking, the Project Admin Officer of L-PRES in Ondo State, Mr. Olugbenga Ebel, who represented the state Programme Coordinator, Mr. Olufemi Adeogun, said the project had recorded major interventions in animal health.

“Last year, L-PRES carried out artificial insemination and vaccination of animals to ensure the production of healthy livestock that are safe for consumption. We do not want citizens to contract diseases from meat,” he added.

According to him, vaccines were distributed to all participating states through the L-PRES National Coordination Office. “In Ondo State alone, over 59,000 cattle were vaccinated,” Ebel disclosed.

On the issue of clashes, Ebel said L-PRES had adopted a zero-tolerance approach, adding that: “L-PRES has zero tolerance for farmer–herder clashes in Ondo State. We have established conflict mitigation and conflict resolution committees at the state and local government levels.”

He explained that the committees were set up to ensure a rapid response to disputes. “Their purpose is to ensure that reports of farmer–herder violence are promptly brought to L-PRES so that we can respond quickly and effectively,” he said.

In his remarks, the Ondo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Olaleye Akinola, described the engagement as timely, noting that sustainable livestock development could only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace and cooperation among stakeholders.