Former NIAS President proffers grazing reserve policy to end crisis between pastoral and farmers

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.