…Launches Livestock Devt Council
The Federal Governemnt says it is targeting to generate 74 billion dollars in the next five years from livestock development initiatives.
Minister of Livestock Development, Mukhtar Maiha, announced this on Tuesday during the inauguration of the first National Council on Livestock Development in Yola, Adamawa State.
Maiha stated that at present, over 14 billion dollars has been realized from ongoing livestock initiatives, pointing out that the ministry was positioning livestock development as the country’s second-largest revenue earner after oil and gas. “
He revealed that the Federal Government has finally banned open grazing in the country as part of efforts to end the constant farmers-herders crises, which has resulted in loss of lives, destruction of property, and displacement of thousands of Nigerians.
Maiha stated “Nigerians have been subjected to untold hardships, including the killing of innocent farmers and herders, as a result of open grazing. There is an urgent need to put a stop to this problem,”.
He further said that open grazing is now considered a capital offense, urging cattle rearers to embrace ranching as a safer and more profitable method.
The Minister added “Ranching will not only prevent conflicts but also improve the quality and weight of cattle for better business,” .
Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Professor Kaleptawa Farauta, who declared the council open, described the state as a hub for livestock production, adding that hosting the first National Council on Livestock Development in Adamawa was appropriate.
The newly inaugurated National Council on Livestock Development comprises all directors of livestock from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and is tasked with overseeing the implementation of policies to modernize and expand Nigeria’s livestock sector.
Open grazing has become one of the contentious issues in Nigeria, especially as it concerns the farmers. Some states in the country have previously banned it. In Benue State, open grazing was banned due to the increasing wave of attacks suffered by farmers.
