The Federal Government says work
will commence next week on cattle colonies in states that have indicated
interest to establish them.
Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of
Agriculture and Rural Development, disclosed this on Friday 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
President, Prof. 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.
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