Dodoma — MEMBERS of parliament have advised the government to allow livestock keepers to graze their animals in national ranches that seem abandoned and other reserved areas to minimize clashes between farmers and livestock keepers.

In his supplementary question, Bariadi East MP, John Cheyo (UDP) said since the country needs both farmers and pastoralists it was time the government improves the environment for their survival free from conflicts. "There are large areas previously catered for national ranches but today remain unutilized.

It is proper to allow grazing for animals to cushion the ever-growing demand for pastures," Cheyo said. However, the Deputy Minister, Prime Minister's Office, Regional Administration and Local Government, Aggrey Mwanri, said the advice was good but required serious consultations with different authorities before his office makes a conclusive statement.

However, the minister was explicit on some of the actors leading to clashes between the two social groups. This includes disregard of the established laws and regulations related to proper land use.

"It has been noticed that areas set aside for social services, residential areas, business district, cultivation or grazing land are used differently resulting into misunderstandings which could be avoided," Mwanri explained.

He was responding to a basic question by Hamoud Abuu Jumaa, (MP - Kibaha Rural, CCM) who inquired for a legislation to avert clashes between the two groups.

Meanwhile, the minister reminded all district councils of the need to monitor land use and have in place short, medium and long term plans which should be respected to avoid confrontations.