My bill will end farmers, herders clashes - Kwankwaso

 A former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (APC, Kano Central), has expressed optimism that his bill on the establishment of grazing agency would end clashes between herders and farmers in the country.

 The Grazing Areas Management Agency (establishment) Bill 2016 passed through first reading three weeks ago.

 Kwankwaso in an explanatory memorandum on the bill obtained by our correspondent said it would also boost farmers’ capacity to have increased food production and safe rearing of animals.

 “This bill seeks to establish Grazing Areas Management Agency to manage demarcated national, state and local grazing areas, routes and livestock ranching reserves in states that require it, which will facilitate peaceful   co-existence between nomadic pastoralists  and agriculturalists, thereby enhancing farmer’s capacity to have increased food production and safe rearing of animals,” he said.

 He said the bill further seeks to create a mechanism for prevention of crisis by setting  standing mediation committees in states and local government areas where the grazing areas, routes and ranches are located and saddled with the responsibility of mediation between the parties. The bill, our correspondent gathered, would be listed for second reading at end of the ongoing recess of the lawmakers. - Dailytrust