Our understanding is that large numbers of cattle on the move are crisis-prone because grazing routes have disappeared due to farming, urbanisation and infrastructure development
By Moses Okorie
The Federal Government has picked Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Adamawa states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, for the pilot phase of its National Ranching Policy.
Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, disclosed this on Tuesday after briefing President Bola Tinubu on the ministry’s activities at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Maiha said the Wase Grazing Reserve in Plateau State would host the pilot project and serve as a proof of concept for the government’s ranching model.
He explained that the selected locations were among areas that had experienced high levels of farmer-herder clashes, making them suitable for testing the policy.
The minister said the continued movement of large herds across communities had become increasingly problematic as traditional grazing routes had been lost to agricultural activities, urban expansion and infrastructure development.
“Our understanding is that large numbers of cattle on the move are crisis-prone because grazing routes have disappeared due to farming, urbanisation and infrastructure development.
“Nomadism, as we know it, is no longer sustainable and we need a different concept,” Maiha said.
He disclosed that the ministry had engaged more than 34 pastoral organisations and was continuing consultations with stakeholders to secure their support for the policy.
According to him, the ministry recently met with pastoralist leaders under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, while another meeting is expected within the next two weeks.
Maiha said the ranching policy would encourage livestock owners to keep their animals in designated locations where pasture, water and other essential facilities would be available.
He said the government would promote the cultivation of improved grass varieties within ranching areas to provide adequate and nutritious feed for livestock.
“Today, we go and fetch the grass and bring it where the animals are. Better still, grow the grass where the animals are.
“There are genetically developed grasses with all the nutritional value required to feed livestock,” he said.
The minister said the government planned to equip ranching communities with housing, veterinary clinics, schools, primary healthcare facilities, solar power and water infrastructure.
He added that the grazing reserves would be developed into livestock-based economic hubs, with facilities such as milk-processing plants, modular abattoirs and bio-digesters expected to attract private investment.
“Imagine what you are going to have if you have 30,000 herds of cattle in one area. The milk collection alone will attract processors and many other investments,” Maiha said.
The minister also announced plans for a nationwide livestock identification system using radio frequency technology.
Under the programme, all four-legged livestock would be tagged to enable identification, geolocation and confirmation of ownership.
Maiha said the system would strengthen efforts to tackle cattle rustling, recover stolen or missing animals and establish a reliable national livestock database.
He further disclosed that the ministry was expanding its programmes in dairy production, fodder cultivation, veterinary services, modern abattoirs and poultry production.
According to him, seven model veterinary clinics had already been established, with plans to establish at least one model veterinary hospital in every state.
He said the government was also upgrading vaccine storage facilities and promoting investment in the dairy and red meat value chains.
Maiha noted that about 20 states had established livestock ministries or agencies, describing the development as evidence of increasing acceptance of the Federal Government’s livestock development agenda.
He praised President Tinubu for supporting reforms in the livestock sector and quoted the President as saying, “The value chains in the livestock sector are fantastic.”
The minister urged Nigerians to take advantage of the investment opportunities available across the livestock industry as the government intensifies efforts to transform the sector.