Gombe State Launches Groundbreaking Initiative to Resolve Farmers-Herders Conflicts

By Emmanuel Kwada

The Gombe State government has initiated a transformative project aimed at resolving the persistent conflicts between farmers and herders that have plagued the region for decades.

Under the auspices of the Livestock and Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), with funding from the World Bank, the government is undertaking the re-survey and re-demarcation of 38 cattle routes and 8 grazing reserves.

These conflicts have not only resulted in loss of lives but also threaten food security across the state and the nation

This ambitious endeavor began late last year, with the goal of mitigating clashes during critical farming and harvest seasons when tensions often escalate. These conflicts have not only resulted in loss of lives but also threaten food security across the state and the nation.

Prof. Usman Bello Abubakar, the State Coordinator for the Gombe L-PRES Project, emphasized the significance of this initiative during a recent stakeholders’ meeting with Local Government Area (LGA) Chairmen at Emerald Royal Hotel in Gombe. He praised the visionary leadership of Governor Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for taking decisive action on an issue that has remained a pressing challenge.

“By clearly defining cattle routes, the present administration hopes to foster peace and enhance cooperation between vital livestock and agricultural communities,” Prof. Abubakar stated. He characterized the recurring conflicts as a significant barrier to progress in the livestock sector, highlighting the essential role of livestock routes in sustainable production systems.

By clearly defining cattle routes, the present administration hopes to foster peace and enhance cooperation between vital livestock and agricultural communities

The project promises a modernized approach to livestock management, featuring demarcated routes equipped with support services such as checkpoints, mobile veterinary clinics, grazing colonies, conflict resolution centers, water yards, and pastoral camps. These measures are designed to enhance livestock nutrition, promote biodiversity, and improve resilience to climate challenges.

Field reports indicate that the company executing the project, IGNITED GOALS LIMITED, has made substantial progress, having commenced operations in Nafada LGA and currently working in Funakaye LGA. Executive Officer Surv. Ibrahim Saleh Gwani detailed the ongoing efforts, which include the installation of concrete boundary markers to define and secure livestock pathways.

Each identification post is strategically placed one kilometer apart, standing one meter tall and buried 50 centimeters deep, ensuring safe passage for cattle and minimizing potential conflicts with local farming communities.

Local officials, livestock farmers, and stakeholders have expressed robust support for the project, recognizing its potential to alleviate seasonal conflicts that have adversely affected the state’s economy.

upon completion of these interventions, Gombe’s livestock sector will transition from traditional practices to a modern framework

Prof. Abubakar envisions that, upon completion of these interventions, Gombe’s livestock sector will transition from traditional practices to a modern framework, enhancing the management of cattle routes and promoting sustainable development in line with global best practices.

As part of this comprehensive strategy, the Gombe government is also focusing on upgrading essential infrastructure, including slaughter slabs, livestock markets, and veterinary clinics. The recent opening of bids for the construction of an Ultra-Modern Abattoir in the state capital is a testament to the government’s commitment to modernizing the livestock industry.

Industry insiders are optimistic that these developments will position Gombe State as a regional powerhouse in the global livestock market, promising significant economic benefits for both the state and its farmers.