As Gombe farmers prepare for the 2025/2026 harvest season, the state government has rolled out fresh measures to prevent clashes between farmers and herders — a recurring challenge that often threatens peace and livelihoods during the farming cycle.
The Farmers/Herders Prevention and Settlement of Disputes Committee, chaired by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, Dr. Barnabas M. Malle, said the steps are aimed at sustaining the relative peace recorded in last year’s harvest season.
“We deeply appreciate Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his commitment to peaceful coexistence between herdsmen and farmers,” Dr. Malle said in a statement issued in Gombe on Monday. “We also thank farmers, herders, traditional rulers, security agencies, and indeed the people of Gombe for supporting government policies that reduced tensions last year.”
Among the resolutions announced are: a ban on the entry of herders from neighbouring states between October 2025 and January 2026, restrictions on inter-local government movement of herders, and the strict enforcement of the night grazing ban from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Farmers have also been cautioned against selling crop residues before their neighbours finish harvesting. Anyone found violating the rule will be compelled to pay compensation equivalent to the destroyed farm produce. Similarly, the harvesting and transportation of crops at night have been prohibited.
The Committee urged both farmers and herders to report disputes through appropriate channels rather than taking the law into their own hands. Local government chairmen were directed to secure entry points into their areas, while emirs, chiefs, and district heads were asked to enforce compliance in their domains.
For many residents of Gombe, these measures are a relief. Disputes over farmland and grazing routes have, in the past, escalated into violence, leaving families displaced and communities divided. By proactively engaging stakeholders, the government hopes this year’s harvest will pass without incident.
“Our goal is simple — to ensure every farmer harvests in peace and every herder grazes without conflict,” Dr. Malle stressed.
