The Federal Government has launched the pilot cattle ranch scheme for herders to lessen farmers and herders conflict in the country.
The Director General, National Agency for the Great Green Wall, Yusuf Bukar represented by the Acting Director Resource Mobilization and Partnership Building, Safiyanu Yavala, disclosed this at a capacity building and Technical Training on Pilot Cattle Ranch, Fodder farm and Orchard planting in Nguru Local Government Area, Yobe State.
Maina Bukar further explained, “The climate change induced conflicts between farmer and herders and have resulted in several deaths, displacements, resettlement, loss of properties such as livestock, among others”.
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“In recognition of all this, the National Agency for the Great Green Wall developed a survival mechanism following a strategic action plan through the establishment of Cattle Ranch, Fodder farm and Orchard model to strengthen the capacities of the affected victims.
“This is why today, the National Agency for the Great Green Wall in collaboration with Wetland Farmers in Nguru Cooperative Society are here to encourage the communities to join the common purpose of participating in the efforts to combat land degradation,” he said.
In his remark, the National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Baba Othman also explained that cattle ranching when fully supported with the necessary infrastructure and other social amenities can boost the economy through income regeneration.
“Bulk of the Nigerian livestock is reared through extensive grazing in marginal lands and grazing reserves. History of grazing reserves, stock routes, forage production, and pasture development is a bit to be repeated here, but associate problems of management, encroachment, degradation, vegetation depletion and land titles are scary and potent, as to warrant fresh strategies and synergy to arrest the situation from getting worst.
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“To achieve sustainable cattle ranching, government must improve the productivity and efficiency of cattle production system, invest in veterinary services and animal disease surveillance, support development of livestock value chain and promote the integration of livestock with crop and forestry system,” he said.
The Chairman, Nguru Wetland Farmers’ Cooperative Association, Abba Liman in his keynote address, revealed that scarcity of land for grazing, increase in population among other factors gradually fuel the conflict between the two farmers, urging the federal government for more support.
The training which will last for three days will feature practical experience in Livestock Breeding Management, demonstration of Climate Smart Agricultural practices, and Orchard Plantation using the Half-moon planting method.