Pastoralists Also Need Peace

Pastoralists Also Need Peace (this is taken from a submission to Ideo - openideo.com )

Contrary to the stereotype of herdsmen being aggressors and brigands, they are actually in desperate search for peaceful coexistence.

The cycle of pastoralist and farmers violence in the Sahel, and in Nigeria in particular, has defied solution due to lack of coherent and holistic approach to this issue which demands equitable resource management. The stereotype of pastoralists as mindless, brutal and selfish herdsmen intent on feeding their cattle with no consideration for other land users masks a more complicated reality.

Community Ranching is a bottom-up approach to modern cattle production that recognizes access to adequate land and water, as drivers of conflict. This approach requires the engagement of traditional, religious and community leaders, elders and influencers in inclusive, representative and reflective dialogue. This approach stops the continuing disruption of rural agrarian and pastoral economies across the sahel, especially Nigeria's middle belt, promote inclusive dialogue and enhance the dispute resolution processes. This is based on the premise that both the pastoralists and the farmers cannot achieve any meaningful developmental goals without peace.

It is possible to promote peace within an environmentally sustainable framework that ensures environmental, social and economic benefits for small holder farmers and pastoralists across West Africa. Pastoralists are as desperate as farmers to live in peace with their neighbors and are also acutely aware that peaceful co-existence with farmers is a pre-requisite for any meaningful development.

There has been escalation in the frequency and severity of conflicts between crop farmers and pastoralists throughout Nigeria. These conflicts have been primarily about water and land use, damage to crops, blocking of transhumant corridors, farming along the valleys and stream/river banks and uncomplimentary agricultural policies by government. However, the problem between pastoralists and farmers is basically a development and economic challenge that ought to be tackled that way, instead of the current infusion of ethnic, religious and political factors into it.

The complex dynamics of pastoralism and farming in Nigeria,has been complicated by the influx of refugees displaced by Boko Haram, and the opportunistic exploitation of a vulnerable population by armed bandits. While the security forces can be expected to deal with the criminal elements of this crisis, civil society can do more in dealing with the underlying fears of farmers and pastoralists.

Community Ranching has the following integrated components: a Grazing Reserve, Farm lands for farmers to produce grains for household consumption and the animal feed, warehouses for farm inputs improved grass and grain seeds, abattoir, supermarket and schools for children. It builds on the traditional practice of 'GAYYA', doing regular community work, which fosters a community spirit.

This integrated model is underpinned by the Savory Hub principle (http://savory.global/institute) that connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, global health, food security and women's empowerment, so that solutions to one problem supports solutions for all. By meeting the basic needs of contiguous communities in a holistic manner, the drivers of conflicts are mitigated.

All violent conflicts invariably have to resort to a political solution for full resolution and the GAYYA approach encourages this. The linkage of efficient grassland and livestock management for lasting peace, requires policy adjustments that enables the people to see the manifest advantages of the the approach. With existing scientific proofs, evidence is presented on the immediate, medium and pong term advantages of this holistic approach. Current agricultural and land management policies and programs are shifted in favour of environmentally sustainable solutions that create market-based incentives that lead to environmental, economic and social benefits.

This model of agricultural development is especially suited for small holder farmers and pastoralists protecting and growing their tenuous holdings.

The holistic approach of this proposal ensures that the benefits are shared by all significant shareholders starting with the subsistent farmers and pastoralists, policy makers, the local and national economy and all who are affected by the public health impact of sustainable agricultural practices.

Most solutions to the perennial pastoralist/farmer conflict has been top-down, by well-meaning local or national authorities. But it comes with little sense of ownership and local commitment is low thereby making these solutions unsustainable. The solution which we are prototyping in northern Nigeria has brought both communities of pastoralists and farmers together to fashion a community-owned ranch where all members have equitable access to the land and water resources. Fantsuam Foundation has facilitated the process as an impartial arbiter, supporting the process through resource mobilisation and providing training to users of the facility.

The pilot which was initiated in 2014, has become the only surviving economic investments in the communities that were recently ravaged by the pastoralists/farmers violence in Jema'a Local Government of Kaduna State, Nigeria. The reason is because the investment was respected and protected as a communal property by all warring parties.

Prototyping: I have done some small tests or experiments with prospective users to continue developing my idea.

Fantsuam Foundation has a Mission of Eliminating Poverty Through Integrated Development programs. As a civil society organization that lives and works in some of its host rural communities, we have a first-hand understanding of the challenges of poverty elimination from the perspective of our hosts. Our range of services spans health, education, sustainable livelihoods, social protection, gender and volunteering. Our integrated approach to development is quick to recognize the threats to our fragile ecosystem and we have been able to identify the challenges and resources needed to ensure environmentally sustainable solutions that can produce tangible economic and social benefits. Through this project we will support holistic land and livestock management education, training, consulting and research in our specific environment.

We have lived with our host communities through several cycles of sectarian violence, making it possible to speak with some conviction on the ways out of this situation. We have identified possible partnerships and resources that can make this possible. Our desire to implement the Savory Hub model is an example of our identifying relevant partnerships that will support out ambition to spread ecologically sustainable grassland and livestock management practices across West Africa for the ultimate goal of sustainable peace between pastoralists and farmers.

The Savory Institute has successfully established Hubs in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya. Fantsuam Foundation is working to become a West African Hub. The Savory Institute provides the technical support and mentoring to ensure that our Hub meets the international standards and delivers on its objective of sustainable peace between pastoralists and farmers, starting from the grasslands of Nigeria and extending to other states of West Africa. The range of services that will be provided in this project include - Accreditation: Offering regional Savory Accredited workshops and programs in Holistic Management. - Consulting: Custom training, education, and consulting services to land managers, organizations and governments who are influencing the management of large areas of grasslands or degraded dry lands. - Full Spectrum Monitoring: Biological, social, and financial monitoring services to land managers, organizations and governments to ensure long-term sustainability of their projects and initiatives. - Auditing/Verification Services: Auditing and verification services to land managers who are interested in accessing established market incentives or premium prices for their products.