Kwasu VC wants agric experts brainstorm on panacea to herders-farmers clashes
By Mahmood Olayinka Alaya
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the Kwara State University, Malete, Professor Shaykh Lukman Jimoh, has called on the experts in agric sector to brainstorm and find lasting solutions to the issues fueling conflict between herders and crop farmers in the country.
Professor Jimoh said this on Monday while declaring open a training on “Pasture and fodder technologies for
Improved cattle production, youth empowerment and reduction of farmers- herdsmen conflict in Nigeria” organised by the Aeres University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands in collaboration with the University of Ibadan and Kwara State University, Malete.
He hoped the training would address the challenges facing herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria as well as foster technology in the feeding of cattle, especially during dry season .
The Vice Chancellor urged the Participants to network and share knowledge that would be acquired at the training to transform the agricultural challenges to opportunities, saying that Kwara State University is committed to drive innovation and technology.
Professor Jimoh therefore appreciated the Dutch government for championing the training, adding that the institution is opened for robust opportunities for its staff and students.
Speaking via Zoom, a Senior Lecturer at the Aeres University of Applied Sciences, Peter Tesselaar, said the University received about 250 proposals, but only thirty were approved, thus paving way for the participants to benefit from the training.
Tesselaar noted that learning is the engine for growth and change, challenging professionals in the agric sector to keep developing themselves.
He said “I believe in a society based on constant development of knowledge and skills needed for working life in a sustainable way”.
The Training Coordinator from the Department of Animal Sciences, University of Ibadan, Professor Olusola Olorunnisomo, said the programme sponsored by Netherlands government was aimed at bringing development to where it is lacking, saying that the purpose is to train agricultural experts and extension workers in pasture production and fodder.
In his remarks, the Head of Department, Animal Production, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Kwara State University, Professor David Friday Apata, attributed the problem causing herders and crop farmers clashe on non-availability of feeds most especially during dry season, and encouraged the use of modern technology by farmers.
Professor Apata noted that the topic is germane to ensure that the trainees acquire skills in cattle production.
Also speaking, a Professor of Ruminant Nutrition at the Kwara State University, Dupe Olufunke Ogunbosoye, also affirmed that the programme was designed to address the clashes between herdsmen and crop farmers, saying “herders during the dry season always look for pastures for their cattle and that’s why we decided to train them on how to use modern technology to preserve their pastures for dry season”.
The training, Professor Ogunbosoye, said it is necessary for farmers, would be farmers and extension agents to share the knowledge and skills to be acquired with others who are not opportune to attend the training.
The 16 participants at the training were picked from the Ministry of Agriculture, Oyo State, University of Ibadan, Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Kwara State University.
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