Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential Committee on Implementation of Livestock Reforms has recommended the continuation of both open grazing and ranching as a solution to the ongoing farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria.
Attahiru Jega, the committee chairman, announced the proposal following the submission of a report to Bola Tinubu in Abuja on Thursday.
In his briefing, Jega stated that the committee, which was established on July 9, aims to transform the livestock sector and has produced a comprehensive inception report.
He emphasized that open grazing and ranching should coexist until sufficient awareness and infrastructure are in place for full adoption of ranching.
Jega stated, “The committee recommended that open grazing and ranching would coexist until enough awareness and adequate infrastructure were created for full adoption of ranching. We’ve also made recommendations in terms of how some of these challenges can be addressed.”
The committee received full backing from Tinubu, who expressed support for the implementation of the recommendations, which include the establishment of a Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
He emphasised the need for focused implementation of the recommendations and periodic review to see where there would be a need for repositioning or strengthening the focus and effort in actualising the recommendations.
“We believe that our recommendations are quite comprehensive, and if we can meticulously implement them, no doubt, very soon we will begin to see its positive impact on our economy. Whether it is in terms of job creation or in terms of development of products and services, or even opening up opportunities for exports,” Jega added.
Jega highlighted the need for focused implementation and periodic reviews to adapt strategies as necessary.
The report outlines strategies to enhance the livestock value chain, promote job creation, and ensure food security, as well as opportunities for exports. Jega noted that the sector has been long neglected and welcomed the government’s recognition of the need for reform.
He stressed, “We believe that there has been a neglect of this sector for a very long time. We are happy that Mr President has recognised the need to redress this neglect and has invited us to contribute to finding ways and the means of unlocking the opportunities in this sector.
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“So, I’m very pleased to say that today we presented an inception report to Mr President, and it’s a document of about 152 pages divided into five sectors,” Jega stated.
He said in the report that the committee addressed 12 terms of reference and developed 22 objectives for the reform effort in the livestock sector.
“We’ve been able to make specific recommendations on each of these areas. In addition to that, we were also able to identify achievable targeted indicators, about 3,146 of them. We believe that by pursuing these and actualising them, there is no doubt that within a reasonable time frame, a maximum period of 10 years, we would see remarkable improvements in virtually all aspects of the livestock sector,” Jega noted.
Jega expressed optimism that significant improvements in the livestock sector could be achieved within a decade through diligent implementation of the committee’s recommendations.
(NAN)
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