Nomadic Fulani herdsmen have over the years been accused of destroying farmlands and at times killing the farmers of Agogo in Ghana. There are minor clashes of this sort in various communities across the country where Nomadic Fulani Herdsmen and their herds are present. Not only in Ghana. Nigeria is experiencing similar clashes between the nomadic Fulani Herdsmen and other farmers and villagers. Reports say over 1,400 people have died from these conflicts in Nigeria. In West and Central Africa, herdsmen violence is becoming worse by the day.
The cause of conflicts with crop farmers
The cause of the present problem is certainly the unrestricted grazing of cattle. This has been the way In Ghana like many other developing countries. Cattle roam and graze freely destroying farms and farmlands. Their activities also pollute drinking water sources in many areas across the country.
The problem of the nomadic Fulani Herdsmen
The nomadic Fulani Herdsmen also complain of not enough pasture lands. Pasture lands are gradually becoming narrow due to the expanding population and developments. The herdsmen resort to the farmlands and their water sources for the survival of their cattle herd. We also believe, in some situations, that these nomadic Fulani Herdsmen are conservative, reluctant to change their nomadic way of life.
Interventions in the clashes so far
This calls for more sustainable and productive production systems which will make sure the two aspects of agriculture and food production are rather enhanced.
Governments have employed security measures to stop these bloody clashes between the herdsmen and the farmers of the various farming communities. This approach is only ad-hoc and does not even guarantee the conflicts stopping immediately. Even sometimes may cause more casualties.
This is obviously not the best solution.
What are the agricultural solutions?
The balance of crops and livestock productions is very vital to agricultural sustainability. However, it is becoming obviously incompatible to practice open grazing while maintaining crops production and other natural resources like water and the forest.
What, in your view, is the best agricultural approach to ending the conflicts?
References:
- Clashes Over Grazing Land In Nigeria Threaten Nomadic Herding
- The Fulani Menace in Ghana: Real causes and solutions
- West Africa Security Threatened by Growing Herdsmen Militancy
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September 13, 2017
9 Comments. Leave new
Every one makes a living at what they do their are ways to cooperate with others. Example : plan farmer allowing animals on their land with some food in the field. Where they eat and leave behind manure to enrich the soil so that their is a natural process for the land to stay fertile. I want to say to people that you share this place with others and the problems with the planet is because your belief of your right despite other around who are their for a reason learn some thing new.
Very important note here, that we share this planet with others and so need to learn to thrive together. This calls for the development of systems that promote the development of all and not one against the other. Definitely, both animal and human lives are valuable. As mentioned, the manure from the cattle enriches the soil for the production of food to feed humans.
Passing the law and implementing it !!!!!
Keeping Cattle is also an expensive venture. I think the problem is not being expensive to keep them fenced, but law abiding.
I quiet remember when we were young, City Council Inspectors/Officers used to impound stray animals roaming about in the town. And it worked at that time. Why is it not working now?????
We should abide by the law. Human`s life is much expensive than an animal`s life, because we humans have controle over animals.
Very well, Alfred. I agree a law to enforce the new way will do.
Hi Alfred I want to say to you that your idea in comparison of human lives are more important. Is what’s causing the problem change how you view others and you may have a better solution.
A total new approach to Cattle farming
A new approach to Cattle rearing has to be adopted in the Sub Sahara region of Africa.
These cattle need to be kept on a fenced grass land and managed. Additional grassland, maize, and Soja beans need to be cultivated to feed the animals also. Cattle rearing is a big business and need to be taken seriously. We can not allow these murders and land destroying going on without tackling the issue.
They say it is expensive to keep them fenced and fed. But, as you said, it a big and a good business, and must be handled as such. Why wouldn’t they?
All farmers both livestock and crop farmers must be registered biometrically, every cattle tagged, grazing zones must be allocated where by crop farmers cultivate there at their own risk and any cattle found outside the grazing zone, it’s owners must be taken on by the law. Fulanis involving in any deviant activities must pay the fullest penalty, an eye for a eye, life for life. If you rape someone’s wife we cut your dick.
Excellent point on the tagging and grazing zones.