Katsina State Secretary, Barrister Abdullahi Garba Faskari, has embarked on a critical tour of local governments to address rising tensions between farmers and herders over encroachment on grazing routes and forest reserves. His team, which includes senior government officials, journalists, and security officers, began the inspection in Mai'adua Local Government, responding to complaints about cattle routes being converted into farmland.

The inspection follows reports from herders that traditional cattle routes, vital for accessing grazing lands, have been blocked by farms in several local government areas. Speaking on the issue, Barrister Faskari revealed that both herders and farmers had been summoned to a meeting in Katsina to discuss the allegations. During the discussions, it was claimed that a section of the cattle route leading to Niger Republic had been converted into farmland.

“We invited both the herders and the farmers to our office in Katsina, along with the chairman of the local government in Mai'adua, to verify the claims,” Faskari said. “It was agreed that the current crops being cultivated on the cattle route would be harvested, but this would be the last farming season on that route.”

To ensure compliance, Faskari's team visited Mai'adua and confirmed the agreement. “The traditional institution facilitated the discussions, and we can now confirm that after this season’s harvest, no more farming will take place on the designated cattle routes,” he stated.

In addition to the issue of cattle routes, Barrister Faskari's team investigated reports of encroachment on forest reserves. In Mai'adua Local Government, a 70-hectare piece of land was reportedly being illegally cultivated. “We received reports of this and have gathered information to address the matter in line with the directive of His Excellency, Governor Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda,” Faskari said.

The inspection team also visited Zango Local Government, where concerns about forest land being converted into farmland had been raised. Upon investigation, no immediate issues were found in some areas, but in one location, the team discovered a farm encroaching on forest land. The local government chairman was instructed to identify the farm owner and submit documentation for further action.

The government’s efforts to address the conflicts are set to continue, with visits planned to other local governments, including Kaita and Mashi, where similar disputes have been reported. The goal, according to Faskari, is to prevent these disputes from escalating into larger conflicts.

“Our intervention aims to resolve these disputes before they become unmanageable,” he said. “We encourage farmers and herders to report issues to the government, and we are committed to taking immediate action to maintain peace.”

Faskari emphasized the need for peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders, noting that the government would not tolerate violations of the agreements in place. “Peace is essential for the success of farming, herding, and all other activities. Without it, nothing can move forward,” he said. “Anyone who violates the terms of these agreements will face the consequences, as directed by the government.”

The government’s commitment to resolving the farmer-herder conflicts reflects its broader aim to foster peaceful coexistence and ensure that grazing routes and forest reserves are protected. As the inspections continue, more local governments are expected to benefit from the state’s proactive approach to resolving these long-standing issues.