Two traditional rulers in Kwara State have appealed to the state government to enact anti-grazing law.
The traditional rulers made the appeal in separate interviews with newsmen in Ilorin at the weekend.
They said that the enactment of the law would drastically reduce persistent clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the state.
Oba of Ilala Kingdom in Ifelodun Local Government Area, Alhaji Abdulwahab Adeyemi, said there had been series of clashes between herdsmen and farmers in his community.
“Terrible things happen where farmers were wounded as a result of scuffles on their farms if they protest destruction of their farmlands by livestock.
“Ilala is predominantly an agrarian community but the sad thing is we can’t have bumper harvest this year.
“Most of our harvest had been destroyed and when you approach the herdsmen to pay compensation, they end up giving you N5, 000 for destruction of farm produce worth N500, 000,” he said.
“But I believe that with proper laws in place, nobody will take laws into his hands,” he said.
He stated that if the anti-grazing law is put in place, they can agree to allocate land dedicated to serve as ranches, as long as pastoralists do not encroach on farmlands.
“The herdsmen are not our enemies and we can live amicably with proper laws in place,” he said.
Also speaking, Chief Onire Afolabi of Igbonla Kingdom in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, said anti-grazing law was the best option to stop clashes between farmers and herdsmen.
According to him, if cattle are placed on ranches there will be no disturbance or cause for the destruction of farmlands by animals.
