No fewer than 200 stakeholders have gathered in Katsina State for a two-day high-level dialogue aimed at preventing recurring farmer-herder conflicts ahead of the 2026 rainy season.
The meeting, held at Katsina Guest Inn, is part of broader peacebuilding and resilience efforts supported by international development partners. Participants include farmers, pastoralists, traditional and religious leaders, civil servants, women and youth groups, persons with disabilities, civil society organisations, and media representatives.
The engagement is being implemented under the Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience (CPCRR) Programme, funded by the European Union and led by Mercy Corps in partnership with the International Organization for Migration and the Centre for Democracy and Development, in collaboration with the Katsina State Government.
Speaking during the session, Mercy Corps Programme Manager, Philip Ikita, described the initiative as a proactive measure to reduce seasonal clashes driven by competition over farmland, grazing routes, and water resources.
He explained that the programme focuses on tackling the root causes of conflict through inclusive dialogue, strengthening community resilience, and improving early warning and response systems to prevent escalation.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Livestock Development, Ahmed Bakori, emphasized that insecurity in rural communities is often rooted in local dynamics and must be addressed through grassroots-driven solutions.
Bakori highlighted the interdependence between farmers and herders, stressing the importance of mutual understanding and cooperation to ensure peaceful coexistence.
He noted that previous interventions in local government areas such as Jibia, Batsari, Safana, and Kankara have already improved relations between both groups, compared to areas yet to benefit from similar engagements.
Organisers said the dialogue builds on progress recorded in earlier meetings held in 2024, which helped reduce tensions and foster collaboration in several communities.
At the end of the engagement, participants are expected to develop a joint action plan to guide conflict prevention and management efforts throughout the 2026 farming season.
The CPCRR programme continues to operate across frontline communities in Katsina State, focusing on strengthening long-term peace, stability, and socio-economic recovery in Nigeria’s Northwest region.
