FG Plans Rehabilitation of 417 Grazing Reserves, Modern Ranches

The Federal Government plans to rehabilitate 417 grazing reserves and establish modern ranching settlements in areas affected by recurring farmers-herders clashes.

Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, announced the plan on Tuesday after briefing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He said the initiative would help resolve longstanding conflicts while modernising Nigeria’s livestock sector.

Maiha identified Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Adamawa and the FCT as priority areas because of their history of clashes. The government has already started a pilot ranching scheme in Plateau State to test a livestock model that reduces cattle movement in search of pasture and water.

He said the government was consulting pastoral communities and about 34 organisations to support the transition from nomadic livestock production to ranching.

“Why don’t you provide these resources and stop these animals from moving? Human beings can move; they don’t cause crises. It’s the animals’ movement that normally generates this crisis,” the minister said.

The proposed ranches will include housing, veterinary clinics, schools, healthcare facilities, solar power and earth dams for pasture irrigation. Maiha said the reserves would become economic hubs that attract milk processors, modular abattoirs and biodigesters.

The government also plans to improve cattle breeds so farmers can produce more milk and meat with fewer animals. Commercial pasture and fodder production will support the livestock value chain while creating opportunities for local consumption and exports.

Maiha further announced plans to introduce radio-frequency identification tags for cattle and other livestock. The system will help establish ownership, track animals and build a national livestock database.

The government has also built seven model veterinary clinics and plans to establish at least one model veterinary hospital in every state.

Maiha said the reforms aim to reduce farmers-herders clashes, improve productivity, create jobs and turn grazing reserves into productive economic centres.

Could modern ranching help reduce Nigeria’s farmers-herders conflicts?