A farmer in Gengie Wollof delivering his remarks, ©FAO/David Kujabi

FAO in partnership with MOA and NaLOA engage farmers and herdsmen on conflict prevention 

24 January 2021, Banjul - In recent years, there has been an increase in violent conflicts between farmers and herdsmen, often leading to death, displacement, and destruction of property. Such conflicts often start when a herder's cattle strayed into a farmer’s cropland. Although The Gambia has not experienced large scale violence between farmers and herdsmen, there have been skirmishes that have often turned violent. 

Promoting dialogue to prevent conflict 

In taking proactive measures to prevent conflict between livestock owners and crop farmers in The Gambia, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) through the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) and National Livestock Owners Association (NaLOA) are on a 10 days conflict prevention outreach program. 

The initiative is in the form of a caravan with the popular Fangsung Jamano Drama group. Ten communities in North Bank, Central River, and Upper River Regions will be visited. The objective is to engage farming communities to raise awareness on creating and maintaining cattle tracks and watering points to avoid cattle intrusion into crop farms.

The community engagement program is also geared towards fostering understanding amongst communities in FAO project sites. FAO under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change in The Gambia (AACCG) project is establishing ten community gardens, drinking points and marking cattle tracks to increase cattle access to drinking and grazing areas for communities in these regions. 

The team has successfully held meetings in Jufurreh, Pakau Njogu, Kerr Seleh, Pallen, Mandori, Kunjo and all in North Bank Regi Giengi Wolof in Central River Region. Community members have expressed delight at the initiative, noting that it has paved the path for dialogue and created understanding on how to prevent conflict between farmers and herdsmen.