A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Synergos Nigeria, on Thursday, February 15, 2018 said it was developing new controlled grazing mechanism to address the herdsmen and farmers conflict in parts of the Northern Region.

The Field Manager of Synergos, Victor Adejoh, disclosed this at the presentation of a research study in Kaduna to support the development of a comprehensive policy and action plan to end the conflict.

Adejoh said the research work, titled: “Study to Support and Inform the Development, Review and Implementation of Controlled Grazing Policy in Nigeria”, had identified viable options and strategies to effectively manage the frequent clashes.

He said the strategy would include interactions between local farming communities and nomadic herdsmen to prevent repeated conflicts.

“It will explore means of demarcating existing grazing reserves, designing improved incentives and establishing proper monitoring and compliance systems.

“The study will equally facilitate the push for gradual injection of modernisation processes into traditional livestock production system and recommend policy interventions that will reduce conflict,“ the official said.

Also, the Permanent Commissioner, Kaduna State Peace Commission, Saleh Momale, said the aim was to develop  effective mechanism to coordinate use of rural land resources.

Momale said the conflicts had always been over grazing and farm lands, water and forest resources.

“Sometime in Sept. 2017, Synergos, in collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, requested for a study to look out for some of the issues affecting pastoralist and farmers relations, as well as the emerging policies on controlled grazing in Nigeria with particular focus on Kaduna, Kogi and Benue states.

“We have sampled the opinions of varied stakeholders including farmers, pastoralist, traditional rulers, state governments institutions, civil society organisations and a number of community-based organisations.

“The study sampled opinions on how they feel about the issue of livestock management and production as well as conflicts and inter community relations,“ Momale said.

According to him, the team was mandated to recommend best ways of resolving the issues to ensure positive economic development, peace and security in the affected states.

On the findings of the study, he said “the weakness of the traditional institutions, due to a number of factors, have made it difficult to deal with the diverse problems of insecurity and conflicts.

“They, therefore, cannot effectively govern the land spaces unlike what was happening in the past.

“Also the local government institutions are not able to respond and perform their duties effectively in terms of management of resources at the local level and this allowed for massive encroachment and unregulated farming activities into areas that were used for grazing,“

Momale hoped that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation would provide the needed support towards financing some strategic interventions in Kaduna State and other conflict areas.

Various stakeholders including traditional rulers, security agencies, agric and forestry officers, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria among others attended the event.

By Shuaib Sadiq

An international non-government organisation (NGO), African Climate Reporters, has embarked on a public sensitisation campaign on the effects of bush burning and tree felling on the environment.

Mr Mohammed Zakariyya, Director of the organisation in West Africa, made this known in Kaduna on Friday, February 16, 2018 in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Zakariya, who said that the organisation would visit Gabarawa, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, stressed that “we want to educate the people on the dangers inherent in bush burning.

“Trees play a major role in climate control by moderating the effects of the sun, rain and wind.

“Leaves absorb and filter the sun’s radiant energy, keeping things cool, especially during the hot season, same as trees; they also provide a screen (partition) from harsh wind,’’ he said.

The climate expert said that the organisation was encouraging tree planting, as it was fundamental to combat deforestation.

“Part of our targeted areas include schools; we want to impart the culture of safeguarding the environment to the younger ones,’’ he said.

Zakariya said the sensitisation activity was aimed at safeguarding the environment and protecting the health of the people.

By Ezra Musa

A Partner of HarvestPlus, an international agricultural organisation, Mr Pelumi Aribisala, says that Nigeria stands to gain a lot through the bio-fortification of crops.

He said this in Ibadan on Friday, February 16, 2018 at a training organised for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Akinyele Local Government Area, Oyo State, on bio-fortification of crops.

Aribisala described bio-fortification as a process of using conventional breeding techniques to infuse essential micro-nutrients into staple crops.

He said that HarvestPlus and its partners had developed, through bio-fortification, 25 different value added products in the country through vitamin A cassava and maize.

He urged corps members to exploit the business opportunities that were available in bio-fortified crops.

“You can engage in planting or production of vitamin A cassava and maize even while serving; you can also engage in garri production.

“Besides, you can produce odourless fufu, custard and other products from vitamin A cassava and maize; you can also supply fufu to restaurants and other places.

“The start-up capital for the business is small but it has several benefits; we have made the products available, especially for youths who want to engage in the business.

“As a corps member, you can be easily linked up to farmers who will patronise you.

“So, look at any of the products you are interested in and start dealing in them; we promise to give you every assistance you need,” he said.

Speaking, a corps member, Mr Eugene Igbaifua, thanked HarvestPlus for the training, saying that it had been very beneficial.

“I now know that I can be self-employed through crop bio-fortification; I can also make business plans on different businesses for any investor.

“I can do business plans for establishment of garri/fufu processing centres and the optimisation techniques in making combo bites snacks,” he said.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that HarvestPlus improves nutrition and public health by developing and promoting bio-fortified food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals.

The organisation also provides global leadership on bio-fortification evidence and technology, with emphasis on naturally bio-fortified crops.

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko