The Taraba ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources on Thursday organised a parley between crop farmers and herders to engender peaceful co-existance in the state.
Mr David Kassa, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Jalingo said that the workshop was necessary to breed mutual coexistence among the two indispensable actors in agricultural production.
Kassa said that the peaceful coexistence among the two would create an enabling environment for an accelerated food production in the state in particular and the national in general.
He said that the state had invested much funds into food production, nothing that peace was paramount in achieving the goal for food security in the state.
“Taraba as one of the major key player in food production in the country found it quite expedient to enlighten crop farmers and herders on mutual coexistence.
“It is necessary to ensure security and safety of our people to achieve food production and food security which is one of the priorities of Gov. Darius Ishaku.
” He has demonstrated his vision for food production by investing much into procurement of tractors and other farm inputs especially for small holder farmers in the state.
“It is therefore, important to organise a workshop to educate them on the need mutual understanding among farmers and herders,’ He said.
Earlier, Mr Danjuma Bujijeh, Permanent Secretary in the ministry underscored the importance of the the workshop.
Bujijeh stressed the need to institute control measures to mitigate the adverse effects of the farmers/harders clashes in the state.
According to him, this workshop is desirable, timely and necessary considering the fact that Taraba has had it’s own share and experience of the farmers/herders clashes.
He advised all stakeholders to imbibe the spirit of give and take among individuals and communities to achieve lasting and sustainable peace.
Nigerian Tribune reports that the workshop was attended by representatives of security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders among others
