In a bold move to address the long-standing conflict between herdsmen and crop farmers, Buipewura Jinapor II, Vice President of the National House of Chiefs and President of the Buipe Traditional Council, has decreed that farmers within the Buipe Traditional Area can shoot and kill any cattle that enter their farms to destroy their crops.
The decree, announced during a palace session with sub-chiefs and subjects, aims to protect farmers’ investments and livelihoods. Buipewura Jinapor emphasized the pain and frustration of seeing herdsmen allow their cattle to devour entire farms, despite farmers’ hard work and resources invested.
To further address the issue, Buipewura Jinapor is considering another decree to prohibit herdsmen from grazing cattle at night, when most crop destruction occurs. He also plans to meet with cattle owners and herdsmen to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.
In addition, Buipewura Jinapor urged crop farmers to take proactive measures to protect their farms, such as sleeping on their farms periodically to prevent cattle from destroying their crops.
The decree comes amidst growing concerns about the herdsmen and crop farmers conflict in the Savannah Region, with numerous complaints filed at the palaces over cattle destroying farms.
