By Jubril Bada

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As part of  efforts to achieve food security in the state, the Ondo State Government ,has constituted and inaugurated conflict resolution committee to settle crisis between farmers and herders in the state.

The committee was  inaugurated on Thursday under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, Ondo State Coordination Office.

Members of the committee include the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Fishery, Director of Forestry, Attorney-General, the Deji of Akure and Chairman Ondo State Council of Obas, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, represented by High Chief Samuel Filani, state Commissioner of Police, Director of State Security Service, State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; Director of Fishery; Director of Animal Husbandry Services/Livestock Services; Director of Veterinary Services, State Surveyor-General, and Governor’s Office to serve as the secretary as the case may be..

The L-PRES Project, funded by the World Bank in collaboration with the federal government, spans six years and involves 20 states, including Ondo.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, High Chief Olayato Aribo, explained that the Constitution and Inauguration of the State Conflict Resolution Committee was in line with the policy of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to ensure there is peace among farmers and herdsmen to ensure food security in the state.

According to him, the essence of setting up the committee is to make its members intervene on issues that have to do with farmers/herdsmen in the state.

Inaugurating the committee, the representative of the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Dr. Adebayo Ehinmowo, said the food security will only be achieved when farmers are free to engage in farming activities without fear of being killed or get farm products destroyed by livestocks.

In his goodwill messages , the National Project Coordinator of L-PRES project, Mr.Sanusi Abubakar, attributed the clashes between farmers and herdsmen as a result of lack of communication.

Abubakar who was represented by Nazif lbrahim, said the farmers/herdsmen clash is a general issue in the country that must be nipped in the bud for peace to reign, and to secure food security in the state and the country in general.

In his address, the State Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Mr.Olufemi Adeogun said the committee is saddled with the responsibilities to check, regulate and monitor the movement of herdsmen and their livestock along the stock routes to prevent farmer/herders clashes.