Speaking at the weekend, the deputy minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, William Ole Nasha, said it was disturbing to see people and animals getting killed in the face of the enmity between pastoralists and farmers and that his office was determined to address the issue.
“We will continue to issue customary title deeds, a move which we believe will help address the tensions,” said the minister while issuing the title deeds to 100 Maasai women in Engaresero Ward, in Ngorongoro District.
Last week, a clash between farmers and pastoralists in Morogoro Region saw 77 sheep and goats as well as three calves getting killed with many others slashed with machetes by an alleged group of traditional militiamen known as ‘Mwano’ in Mvomero District.
The group is also said to have kidnapped Ketepoi Nuru, the owner of the livestock and disappeared with her valuables.
Following the incident, the minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Mwigulu Nchemba warned that the conflict between farmers and pastoralists would not end unless stern legal action was taken against culprits.
Meanwhile, Ole Nasha challenged the women to use the title deeds as collateral in securing loans from financial institutions.
According to the minister, the title deeds should serve as a catalyst for economic empowerment to women hailing from pastoral communities.
“Now that you have the title deeds, there is no reason to continue depending on your men,” he said.
Authorities in the country are finding it increasingly difficult to deal with ongoing conflicts between farmers and pastoralists as they fight over limited land and water resources.
Such violent and sometimes deadly clashes have been raging for decades as farmers and pastoralists scramble for resources.
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