The Federal Government has declared its intention to rehabilitate 417 grazing reserves for the use of herders.

This comes as the government maintains that ranching remains the sustainable path forward and urges state governments to support the practice by allocating land to breeders willing to adopt it.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, speaking in Yola on Monday during the 1st National Council Meeting on Livestock Development, said open grazing has caused unnecessary disruptions in recent years and led to loss of lives across the country.

“Open grazing is unsustainable and a source of persistent conflict. Our strategy is clear: rehabilitate the 417 grazing reserves into modern, secure, and economically viable Renewed Hope Livestock Villages,” the minister said on the opening day of the meeting, which took place at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Yola.

Addressing participants at the meeting, including commissioners of agriculture from each of the 36 states, he said: “Crucially, we must promote ranching as the definitive, modern solution. I call upon all state governments to allocate suitable land to pastoralists who are willing to embrace this modern practice.”

Stressing that ranching is not merely an economic policy but a profound commitment to social harmony and peace, the minister added, “Ranching provides security of tenure, allows for investment in feed and water, animal health, and fosters a settled, prosperous community, thereby eliminating the root causes of farmer-herder conflicts.”

The minister was earlier received by the state governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, who was represented by his deputy, Kaletapwa Farauta. She described Adamawa State as the home of livestock and commended the minister for organising the 1st National Council on Livestock Development in the state.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Livestock, Musa Mustapha, who delivered a goodwill message, expressed optimism that livestock would soon overtake oil in revenue earnings and said the Senate would support the Ministry of Agriculture with a robust budget.

Eze Chidiebere Paul

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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