The National Coordination Office of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), in collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), has trained stakeholders in Zamfara State on conflict prevention and mitigation as part of efforts to strengthen peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders.
Addressing the participants in Gusau the Zamfara State Capital, Coordinator of L-PRES in Zamfara State, Alhaji Nasiru Mohammed, said the workshop was designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills and institutional capacity required to identify potential sources of conflict, conduct conflict assessments, facilitate dialogue, manage disputes and promote peaceful coexistence.
Alhaji Mohammed explained that the relationship between farmers and herders remained critical to agricultural development, food security, rural livelihoods and economic stability, particularly in Zamfara State, where crop farming and livestock production are major sources of livelihood for a significant proportion of the population.
He noted that competition over natural resources, particularly land, water and grazing routes, has in several instances triggered disputes and tensions between farming and pastoralist communities.
According to him, when such disputes are not properly managed, they could escalate into violent conflicts, leading to loss of lives and property, displacement of communities, disruption of agricultural activities and setbacks to economic development.
Alhaji Nasiru Mohammed pointed out that, L-PRES recognised the importance of strengthening conflict prevention, early warning, mediation and dispute-resolution mechanisms as part of its broader objective of improving livestock productivity and resilience.
The coordinator urged participants to actively engage in the training, share practical experiences and develop workable strategies for addressing conflict challenges confronting farming and pastoralist communities in the state.
He also assured the National Coordination Office and the facilitators of the Zamfara State Coordination Office’s commitment to strengthen existing dispute-settlement structures and ensuring that, the outcome of the workshop translated into tangible improvements in conflict prevention and community resilience.
Speaking at the workshop, the Team Lead from the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution for the Workshop, Dr Beji Gwal, explained that the Institute was implementing the conflict prevention and mitigation component 3 of the livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRESS) in Zamfara State and other states to promote peaceful coexistence and strengthen community resilience.
Dr Gwal, who represented the Director-General of the institute, noted that the intervention was designed to strengthen conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms at the state and community levels.
He described the IPCR as a government research institute under the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the mandate to conduct research, provide policy advice and support government and other peacebuilding stakeholders in conflict prevention, management and resolution.
Dr Gwal expressed confidence that the involvement of diverse stakeholders in Zamfara would promote community ownership of the project and ensure that its interventions address the actual needs of affected communities.
He said the ultimate objective was to build safer and more resilient communities capable of addressing conflicts and other security challenges through sustainable mechanisms.
The IPCR team lead urged stakeholders to take ownership of the initiative and contribute actively to achieving its objectives, assuring them of the institute’s commitment to supporting peacebuilding efforts in the state.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Alhaji Rilwanu Musa Zurmi, reaffirmed the state government commitment to strengthening conflict prevention, mitigation and peacebuilding initiatives as part of efforts to address insecurity and promote peaceful coexistence across communities in the state.
Alhaji Zurmi described the workshop as an important platform for strengthening collaboration between security institutions and development partners, particularly in addressing conflicts associated with the agricultural and livestock sectors.
He urged participants to take advantage of the workshop to share experiences, exchange practical ideas and develop strategies that could be implemented at state and local government levels.
The event brought together facilitators from the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, members of the Zamfara State Farmer, Herder, traditional, community and religious leaders, officials of the Zamfara State L-PRES Project Implementation Unit and other stakeholders.
The workshop Is expected the last for 4 days.
AMINU DALHATU
