AFAN to FG: Create National Committee to curb farmer–herder clashes

By Udeme Akpan & Marther Godwin

The President of the All-Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN),  Mohammed Magaji, has called on the Federal Government (FG) to establish a national committee to prevent conflicts affecting farmers, as insecurity continues to undermine agricultural productivity across the country.

Magaji identified insecurity—particularly in the North-West and North-East—as a major factor keeping farmers away from their farmlands, thereby reducing food production.

Speaking at a panel session during Vanguard’s Economic Discourse in Lagos last week, he stressed the urgent need for enhanced security measures to protect farmers and restore confidence in the sector.

According to him, the proposed committee should focus on preventing farmer-herder clashes before they occur, rather than merely resolving them after the fact.

He noted that several state commissioners have already backed the idea, recommending a national-level farmer-herder conflict prevention committee comprising intellectuals, security experts, and other critical stakeholders.

“If there is insecurity, our members do not go to the farm at all. That is exactly what is happening in most states, especially in the North-West and North-East,” he said.

Magaji cited examples of farmers in  Kaduna State  and other areas who previously produced up to 100,000 bags of maize but can no longer access their farms due to security threats.

He explained that while farmer-herder clashes remain a concern, banditry and insurgency—especially activities linked to  Boko Haram—have worsened the situation, making farming impossible in many communities.

Drawing from past experience, he pointed to  Gombe State, where a shift from conflict resolution to conflict prevention helped significantly reduce clashes between farmers and herders.

“We suggest that the Federal Government should constitute a committee at the national level—not just a conflict resolution committee, but a conflict prevention committee,” he said.

He said:  “That approach has helped to significantly reduce farmer-herder clashes in Gombe State. Based on this experience, many commissioners are recommending that the Federal Government establish a national farmer-herder conflict prevention committee, composed of intellectuals, security experts, and other stakeholders.

“However, the major issue remains banditry and Boko Haram, which have prevented farmers from going to their farms entirely. Before the Boko Haram crisis, farmers in Borno State could cultivate during three different seasons. Today, in about 78 to 80 percent of the local government areas, farming is no longer possible. The situation is similar in the North-West.”

He added: “The government needs to intensify efforts to address insecurity in the country, particularly banditry and Boko Haram. If more is done, I believe our farmers will return to their farms and significantly increase production.”