Nigerian govt rejects opens grazing – Ogbeh

The federal government has publicly taken a stand against open grazing by cattle herders.

This stand was made known following the development of a framework to put a definitive end to violent clashes between roaming herders and farming communities.

While speaking at a media briefing on the federal government’s National Livestock Transformation Plan (2018-2027), the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, said the government will now switch to ranching as the most viable option to put an end to the clashes.

He is quoted as saying, “Open grazing is no longer viable, that’s why we’re switching to ranching. We will do everything needed to stop clashes between farmers and herdsmen.”

According to Ogbeh, all stakeholders have agreed that ranching is the way forward for the management of livestock in the country to help it derive maximum economic benefit and prevent conflicts. A Public Private Partnership (PPP) approach will be deployed in the funding of the ranching plan.

DAILY POST reports that the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) is a multifaceted intervention plan which, according to the government, will modernise livestock management in the country and help to achieve improved productivity and security. It covers everything from economic investment to humanitarian interventions, conflict resolution, and strengthening of law and order.

Herders and farmers have clashed for years over the battle for resources as roaming herdsmen tend to graze their cattle on farmlands, leading to tension and sometimes violence that leads to deaths of people on both sides.

Before now, the federal government has largely blamed the recent escalation of the conflict on the anti-open grazing laws of both states and the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali, recently called for a suspension of the implementation of the laws to reduce tension.

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, a major supporter of the anti-open grazing law, was present at Tuesday’s media briefing in Abuja while Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi, was represented by Joseph Ekumankama.