Tinubu Livestock Committee recommends extensive livestock farming and open-air grazing as a solution to the crisis between farmers and herders
The Presidential Committee on the Implementation of Livestock Reforms has proposed that a combination of extensive livestock farming and open grazing could offer the most viable solution to Nigeria's farmer-herder crisis.
The Chairman of the committee, Professor Attahiru Jega, disclosed this on Thursday after the 23-member committee submitted its report to President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
During a briefing with State House correspondents, Jega said the committee, which was inaugurated on July 9, had produced an initial report containing broad recommendations for transforming the livestock sector.
He said“We have also made recommendations on how some of these challenges can be addressed.”
“We believe our recommendations are quite comprehensive, and if we can implement them meticulously, we will undoubtedly begin to see their positive impact on our economy very soon.”
“Whether in terms of job creation or in terms of developing products and services, or even opening up opportunities for exports,”
He said the President had fully supported and encouraged the committee to oversee the implementation of its recommendations, and that the newly created ministry was leading the process.
The professor also noted that the committee had outlined detailed guidelines for the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
He stressed the importance of focused implementation of the recommendations and periodic reviews to identify areas that may require adjustments or strengthening to ensure their successful implementation.
Background story
Nairametrics earlier reported on President Tinubu’s creation of a Ministry of Livestock Development as part of measures to quell the farmers-herders crisis ravaging different parts of the country.
- Conflict between herders and farmers in Nigeria over land and pastures has become a serious and growing problem, resulting in numerous casualties and heightening tensions, especially in the Middle Belt region. These conflicts cause significant loss of life and livelihoods, undermine food security, contribute to the proliferation of small arms, displace large populations and divert resources from development.
- Due to drought and desertification in the north, pastoralists have been forced to move further south in search of grazing land, leading to competition for resources and clashes with settled farmers.
- In 2019, President Buhari’s government approved the RUGA initiative, aimed at significantly reducing conflict between herders and farmers while boosting animal production.
- However, despite its potential benefits, the initiative faced widespread criticism from many Nigerians, some of whom accused it of being a covert attempt to “Islamize” parts of the country. Due to the backlash, the Presidency eventually withdrew the plan.
