A farmer organisation operating in the three northern regions and some parts of Brong Ahafo, Masara N’Ariziki Maize Farmers Association, says it intends stepping up advocacy to engage stakeholders to address the seemingly rift between farmers and Fulani herdsmen in its catchment area. The initiative is part of the Association’s effort to ensure farmers, particularly its members, sail through this year’s faming season smoothly without any confrontation between the farmers and the Fulani herdsmen. Cattle of these Fulani herdsmen, according to the farmers, deny them peaceful farming season almost every year, as the cattle are allowed to stray and graze farm crops, an investment of the poor farmers, who in most cases access loans for farming. The Leader of the Association, Mr. Luuc Smith told Joy News the organization has voted over GHC25, 000 to embark on the advocacy programme. He said radio discussions, community interactions and round table discussions with policy makers and other stakeholders will be undertaken to achieve the desired results. Masara N’Ariziki is already running a radio discussion programme on some selected local radio stations in the region dubbed, “Time with Farmers”, which seeks to provide technical know-how to farmers, especially maize growers, to enable them improve on their yields. He reveals the existing advocacy programme has been modified to place emphasis on addressing issues militating against farming such as perennial bush fires, invasion of pests, the menace of Fulani herdsmen and marketing of farm produce as well as post-harvest losses. Mr. Smith says Masara N’Arziki has been working with other partners but will do it best strengthen collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana National Fire Service to protect the bread baskets of the country being the three northern regions. Masara N Arziki, born out of Wienco Ghana Ltd and YARA Ghana Ltd, supports small maize farmers with inputs through block farming. Farmers under the project are now earning appreciable incomes from their toil due to improvement in yields, access to credit facilities and existence of ready market for their farm produce.