Farmers, herdsmen conflicts threat to food scarcity in Nigeria, Agriculturist warns

herdsmen

An agriculturist, Mr David Darian on Monday warned that farmers and herdsmen conflict might contribute to food shortage across the country, if not checked by government at all levels.


Darian, who is the Director Finance and Account, Plateau Agricultural, Development Programme (PADP), gave the warning while delivering a paper at the 2016 pre-season training oragnised by PADP for farmers in the state.

In the paper entitled: "Peaceful Co-existence of Famers and Grazers as Tool for Agricultural Development in Plateau", Darian noted that conflicts between local farmers and the grazers have done more harm than good to agriculture.

He said that government was unable to embark on meaningful development in crisis prone areas, which has lowered agricultural activities in Plateau and Nigeria at large.

The Director added that the inadequate supply of food to the society has accounted for about 66 per cent of the current criminal activities being experienced in the country.

He noted that criminal activities were worsened by the high rate of school dropouts caused by incessant conflicts between farmers and herdsmen in the country.

''Where there is conflict, the cost of labour and inputs is usually high. Consequently the production of food is low which also leads to low income thereby increasing the rate of poverty.

''The first economic parameter often affected by war situation is the price of goods and services because other factors such as transportation cost, labour, information disruption also affect the price of goods.

''People must understand that agriculture is neither religious nor political; food comes first because hunger is no respecter of any person.

''So, people must learn to coexist peaceful for the growth of the agricultural sector to ensure that food shortage is averted,'' he advised.

The director also urged farmers and herdsmen to maintain effective communication through the traditional institution and synergise to prevent further conflict.

He advised farmers to diversify their agricultural activities to enhance income generation using the various services and programmes offered by government.