FG selects six states, FCT for pilot ranching programme

The Federal Government has selected six states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for the pilot phase of its National Ranching Policy.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, disclosed this on Tuesday after briefing President Bola Tinubu on the activities of the ministry at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Maiha said the pilot project would begin at the Wase Grazing Reserve in Plateau State, which would serve as a demonstration site for the new ranching model.

He listed the participating states as Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Adamawa, alongside the FCT.

According to him, the locations were chosen because they have experienced some of the highest levels of farmer-herder conflicts in recent years.

He explained that the movement of large herds of cattle had become increasingly difficult as grazing routes were lost to farming, urban expansion and infrastructure development.

“Nomadism, as we know it, is no longer sustainable and we need a different concept,” Maiha said.

The minister said the government had consulted more than 34 pastoral organisations as part of efforts to secure broad support for the policy.

He added that the ministry recently held discussions with pastoralist leaders under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, with another engagement scheduled within two weeks.

Maiha said the ranching policy would encourage livestock owners to rear their animals in designated locations instead of moving them over long distances in search of pasture and water.

He said the government was promoting the cultivation of nutritious grasses at ranching locations to ensure a steady supply of feed for livestock.

Under the programme, the minister said ranching communities would have access to housing, veterinary clinics, schools, primary healthcare centres, solar lighting and water infrastructure.

He added that the grazing reserves would be developed into economic centres capable of attracting milk processors, modular abattoirs, bio-digesters and other livestock-related businesses.

Maiha said the concentration of large numbers of cattle in designated areas would create opportunities for investment, particularly in dairy processing and other segments of the livestock value chain.

He also disclosed that the government was implementing a nationwide livestock identification system using radio frequency technology.

According to him, livestock would be tagged to enable identification, geolocation and verification of ownership.

He said the initiative would help tackle cattle rustling, facilitate the recovery of missing animals and establish a comprehensive national livestock database.

Maiha further said the ministry was promoting dairy production, commercial fodder farming, modern abattoirs, veterinary services and poultry development.

He disclosed that seven model veterinary clinics had been established, with plans to establish at least one model veterinary hospital in every state.

The minister said the government was also improving vaccine storage facilities and encouraging private-sector investment in dairy and red meat value chains.

Maiha noted that about 20 states had established livestock ministries or agencies, describing the development as an indication of growing support for the Federal Government’s livestock transformation agenda.

He commended President Tinubu for his support for the sector, quoting him as saying, “The value chains in the livestock sector are fantastic,” while encouraging Nigerians to explore opportunities within the industry.