The federal government disclosed this on Friday,
January 19 - Going further, the federal government said it would engage the
services of the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) to assist
in the production of fodder for cattle The federal government says work will
commence next week on cattle colonies in states that has indicated interest to
establish them, the News Agency of Nigeria reports. Chief Audu Ogbeh, the
minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, disclosed this on Friday,
January 19, during a visit to the Agriculture and Veterinary Complex of the
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Ogbeh said that the National Economic Council
on Thursday set up a 10-member committee comprising the vice resident,
Professor Yemi Osinbajo, as chairman and nine governors to facilitate the
commencement of the cattle colonies in interested states.
“We are happy that we are making progress in
agriculture now. “One of the most topical issues we have today is that of
farmers and herdsmen clashes. “If we do not deal with it quickly, we run the
risk of damaging the harmony and the co-existence of Nigeria as a country. The
killings are getting too many. “In our attempt to solve the problem, we have
proffered certain solutions but perhaps we were not sensitive enough to
Nigeria’s fragile sensitivities and suspicions. “When we spoke of colonies, we
were immediately greeted with reactions that this was an attempt to cease
Nigeria’s land and give to the Fulanis to colonise. “The intention is not for
Fulanis or anyone to colonise any territory. It is to provide a haven for cattle
to graze in peace under controlled environments to prevent the conflicts
between farmers and herdsmen. “Only yesterday, a committee was set up by the
Vice President with members, most of them, state governors discussing this
matter and resolving that states that are interested will begin work on this
matter as soon as next week.’’ The minister said that the federal government
would engage the services of the National Animal Production Research Institute
(NAPRI) to assist in the production of fodder for cattle.
According to him, open grazing is posing serious
challenges and it is not too efficient for the cattle. Ogbeh described open
grazing as a `torture’ to cattle which usually do not enjoy long distance
walks. “It doesn’t allow us to harvest milk; the cows are not well fed. What is
going on is almost torture to animals. “If we can create a new environment for
cattle, give them what they need, protect them from rustlers, the herdsmen will
quickly discover that they are making far more money than what they are doing
now,’’ Ogbe said. Earlier, the Director of NAPRI, Prof. Clarence Lakpini, said
pastoralists in the country had no fewer than 19.7 million cattle and 113.8
million sheep and goats which were currently grazing.
“We have a population of about 19.7 million
cattle and total of 113.8 million sheep and goats. These are animals that graze
and 90 per cent of these are owned by the pastoralists. “These animals
contribute a lot to the GDP of Nigeria. In fact, in the agricultural sector, it
contributes 30 per cent of the National Agricultural GDP and of the National
GDP, 3.2 per cent.’’ Lakpini also said that NAPRI had gone into partnership
with various animal stakeholders to resolve the conflict between farmers and
herdsmen across the country.
Meanwhile, it had been reported that the cattle
colonies being proposed by the federal government to address the clashes
between herdsmen and farmers across the country was rejected by the Osun state
government. The development was made public by the state’s commissioner for
information and strategy, Adelani Baderinwa, on Thursday, January 18. It was
gathered that Baderinwa stated that having foreseen the herdsmen-farmers clashes
unfolding in various states, the Osun state governor, Rauf Aregbesola, had set
up a committee comprising of government officials, farmers and herdsmen to
resolve any issue which may result in conflict.
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