FAO moves to reduce tension between crop farmers, pastoralists

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), an agency of the UN, says it is taking measures to reduce tension between farmers and pastoralists in the country.

The Country Representative of FAO in Nigeria, Dr Louise Setshwaelo, made this known at a workshop on ``Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure’’ on Monday in Abuja.

She said the organisation was finalising plans with Bayero University, Kano to conduct a study with the aim of reducing the crisis that had led to the destruction of lives and property over the years.

``FAO supported the piloting of technology of systematic titling of land, currently in collaboration, DFID is exploring the use of open- source software to record and develop a reliable inventory of land rights.

``We are also finalising an agreement with the Bayero University to conduct a study on stock rout in Northern Nigeria, with the aim to reduce tensions between pastoralists and crop farmers.

``I hasten to indicate that in this regard, a lot remains to be done to diffuse land disputes and tension,’’ she said.

Setshwaelo said governance of tenure was the priority of the FAO, saying that it was being mainstreamed in all relevant works of the organisation.

According to her, the workshop is aimed at raising awareness on voluntary guidelines and to develop ideas on how to support the improvement of Governance of tenure of land, fisheries and forests in Nigeria.

The FAO rep. said the Voluntary Guidelines would also provide a framework for governance of land, fisheries and forest tenures.

She said the guidelines include, preventing tenure dispute, violent conflicts and corruption from arising and escalating into violent conflicts.

Others are; to take active measures to promote and facilitate the full realisation of tenure right or the making of transactions with the rights, such as ensuring that services are accessible to all.

The rest are: continuous improvement by states to improve mechanisms for monitoring and analysis of tenure governance in order to develop evidence-based programmes and secure ongoing improvements.

The guideline also states that there should be no discrimination under law and policies as well as in practice among others.

The country rep. noted that the guidelines sets internationally recognised principles and practice that could be used to improve tenure security and access to these resources.

Setshwaelo said the Voluntary Guidelines could be used as a benchmark by the Federal and State Governments in the development of relevant policies and laws.

In his remark, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr George Ossi, said the decision of FAO to champion the drawing up of the voluntary guidelines was a welcome development.

Ossi, who was represented by the Director, Lands and Housing Development, Mrs Margret Ebube, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to the guidelines.

He said a zero draft National Land Policy had been prepared and would soon be subjected to stakeholders’ discussions and validation and eventual endorsemen.

The permanent secretary noted that the ministry recognised the numerous supports of international organisations and development partners like the FAO in redressing the developmental challenges facing the country.

Ossi said that the pilot project of the guidelines was already taking place in Kebbi, Katsina and Anambra states, and stressed the need for it to be expanded to cover more states across all geo-political zones.