Farmers/herders conflict: EU COMITAS project seeks durable solutions

As Fintri decries sacking of communities, looming food crisis

European Union, (EU), and it’s partners, are seeking ways to mitigate persistent farmers/herders conflicts over natural resources in communities of Adamawa and Taraba states.

Under the project ‘Contributing to the mitigation of conflict over natural resources between farmer and herder communities in Taraba and Adamawa States, Nigeria (COMITAS Il)’, the body said is working with key stakeholders to ensure durable solutions that encourages and enhances collaboration in managing scarce natural resources.

EU delegation representative, Eric Pitois, said the project remains a priority to the EU because it addresses the root causes of farmers/herders crisis in Nigeria and evolves ways of solving them.

He stated this at a Project Steering Committee meeting organised by IOM through collaboration with Search for Common Ground (SFCG), Mercy Corps and funded by the European Union (EU), yesterday in Abuja.

Pitois said “The project remains very important as it is addressing the root causes of farmers and herders crisis in Nigeria over high competition for natural resources.”

International Organization for Migration, (IOM), Chief of Mission, Laurent De Boek,
said the COMITAS project has been able to stabilise communities embroiled in these conflicts by providing key resources that were the root cause of the conflicts such as water.

He said over 30, 000 individuals so far have been impacted through farmers-herders project which aims to strengthen traditional traditional conflicts resolution mechanism, improve trust in authorities and improve intra and inter-communal perceptions.

Represent by the COMITAS Project Manager, Juliana Betancourt, he said “Dialogue instructors at the Taraba forum have conducted research on key topics relating to climate change adaptation.

“22 new established natural resources management committees have been implementing key impact projects that focus on the provision of water and community infrastructure.

De Boek also said “The COMITAS project has supported the development of the National Climate Change policy of Nigeria implemented between 2021 and 2030.”

“This is the start of phase-two and with the programme inclusion of Taraba the contribution by partners has reached 30, 000 individuals across nine local governments.”

Meanwhile, Taraba state governor, Agbo Kefas, has decried the sacking of close to six communities in the state by herdsmen who he said have made it difficult for agriculture to thrive in the state.

He lamented that the non-stop farmers/herders clashes has resulted in mass exodus from communities in Gassol, Wukari and others to Takum

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Jeji William, he said “Ussa local government is under serious attack, the farmers are not farming. If you extend further, you discover that all the farmers have relocated to Takum area because of the severe conflicts between the farmers and the herders there.

“If you are driving from Takum to an area called Mararaba, you will not see a single human being in the environment, all of them have relocated to Takum where there is maximum security and this is a very sad development. All the farmers have been driven away from their farms and this is giving us sleepless nights in the state.

The governor said farmers are now being escorted to their farms by security agent in the daytime and this is a threat to food security in the state

Also speaking, Adamawa state governor, Ahmadu Fintri who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Professor David Jatau, said the first phase of the COMITAS project has yielded positive result in the state.

According to him, “COMITAS project has been ongoing in Adamawa for the past three years and it has made tremendous positive impact on the communities concerning this issue of farmers/herders crisis.

“It has reduced the incidences of conflicts between farmers and herders drastically.”