Stakeholders Urge Action to Restore Grazing Reserves, End Farmers-Herders Conflict in Taraba

In a bid to address one of the most persistent sources of tension in Taraba State, stakeholders have called for the urgent re-identification and protection of traditional grazing reserves and cattle routes. They believe this step is essential to ending the cycle of violence between farmers and herders that has long plagued the region.

Source: Zagazola

At a town hall meeting held in Jalingo and organized by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), voices from across the agricultural and pastoral communities came together under a common goal — to find lasting solutions to the escalating clashes that have left deep scars on rural communities. The gathering formed part of the ongoing “Pathway to National Cohesion, Development, and Unity” initiative, aimed at tackling insecurity, extremism, and communal conflicts across the country.

Speaking at the meeting, Alhaji Ibrahim Barewa, the Taraba State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), drew attention to the growing encroachment on grazing routes and reserves — corridors that once allowed herders to move freely without conflict. He lamented that these paths, which have existed since pre-colonial times, have been overtaken by farmlands, buildings, and other human activities, severely disrupting the way of life for pastoralists and fueling tensions with farmers.

“Our people can no longer move safely. The paths are blocked, the grazing lands gone, and it’s causing serious problems,” Barewa said. He also warned against the proliferation of arms among herders, urging security forces to crack down on illegal weapon carriers while ensuring that the few who break the law do not tarnish the image of the entire pastoral community.

Barewa was not alone in his concerns. Alhaji Salisu Kumba, the state chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), echoed the need to protect existing grazing reserves and restore old cattle routes. He argued that farmers and herders have historically coexisted peacefully, but political manipulation and lack of proactive governance have inflamed tensions and deepened mistrust. Kumba proposed the creation of a dedicated commission to mediate disputes and foster dialogue between both groups, seeing it as a vital instrument for rebuilding trust.

Meanwhile, Mahmoud Abdullahi, Director of Livestock Services at the Taraba State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, revealed that the state still has nine officially recognized grazing reserves. However, he admitted that many of them are no longer viable due to encroachment and lack of support. He also pointed to rising drug abuse among young herders as a new and dangerous dimension contributing to violence in farming communities. Abdullahi said the ministry is working on efforts to map out and re-establish the original grazing paths as part of a larger conflict-prevention strategy.

The Director of NOA in Taraba, Zakari Muhammad, emphasized that the wider national security crisis — from insurgency and banditry to kidnapping and communal clashes — requires tailored, region-specific solutions. He said the NOA initiative seeks to promote peace by encouraging shared identity and strengthening community-based conflict resolution systems.

Muhammad stressed that unity cannot be achieved without cooperation from all sectors of society, urging stakeholders to commit to peaceful coexistence and support efforts that empower traditional rulers and community leaders to mediate disputes before they escalate into violence.

With emotions running high and the pressure to act growing stronger, voices from across Taraba are making one thing clear: restoring grazing reserves and reviving old cattle routes may not solve all the problems, but it is a critical first step toward restoring peace, stability, and mutual respect between Nigeria’s farmers and herders.