Former
and pioneer president of Nigeria Institute of Animal Science, Professor Placid
Njoku has called for the implementation of Grazing Reserves and Livestock
Routes Policy which was first legislated in 1965 and subsequently legislated
into law in Kaduna State as a panacea to end incursion of nomadic herdsmen into
crop farms, and consequent resulting to destruction.
Professor
Njoku noted with regret that most northern states where the problems of farmers
– herdsmen clashes are predominant were where the grazing reserve routes are
not properly managed for use.
He therefore
advocated for a revival of grazing reserves to discourage seasonal migration of
herdsmen to areas of sustaining pastures with potential malady of pastoral/crop
farmer conflicts and threat to peace of the nation.
Speaking when the
Nigerian Institution of Animal Science in collaboration with University of
Agriculture Makurdi organized a one-day conference to brainstorm on the way out
of the endless farmers- pastoral feud at the Aper Aku Auditorium, North Core of
UAM, the pioneer NIAS President described the event as significant to
proffering solutions to this constant crisis which has always been threatening
the peaceful co-existence of Nigeria as nation.
This is contained in
a Statement issued to Food-Farm News
by Mrs. Rosemary Waku, Head, Press and Public Relations Unit of the University
as the university emeritus stated that the problem of desert encroachment must
be addressed to guarantee the sustainability of reserve routes adding that
Government could overcome pastoralist-crop farmer conflicts with establishment
of Green belt across North West and North East States to reduce desert
encroachment and increase water retention.
Similarly, the former
President of NIAS listed the setting up of Grazing Reserve Commission by each
State of North-West and North-East Zones of Nigerian with mandate to set up grazing
reserve and fodder banks like Standard abattoirs for slaughters; Processing and
cold chain distribution of the meat across Nigeria; Mini to large ranches in
North Central States and non-coastal South-East, South-West and South-South
States of the country among others.
The Vice Chancellor
of the University of Agriculture Makurdi Professor E. I. Kucha had in his
presentation lamented over the dreadful loss of lives and property amounting to
billions of naira over the years due to incessant farmers- herdsmen clashes,
attributing the ugly trend to competition for limited resources of land, water
and vegetation.
Professor
Kucha praised the uncommon desire and rare determination of NIAS to find a
lasting solution to the problem of farmer pastoralist clash which has assumed a
major national security challenge and a threat to food security in the country.
He
posited that the problem requires a scientific innovation and modern techniques
of animal husbandry, agronomy and agro-forestry to solve.
Executive
governor of Benue state Dr. Samuel Ortom who declared the conference open sued
for education of the nomads to understand and appreciate the value of
destruction of crops by their animals.
The
Governor who was favorably disposed to views that Universities are better
positioned to guide Government on proper governance through research
information, urged the organizers of the conference to take further steps by
interfacing with Government to ensure speedy implementation of research
findings and recommendation by the various presentations.
The
Governor was represented by the Deputy Governor Engineer Benson Abounu.
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