Farmers/herders clashes: FG considers cow colony, ranches

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has said that in an attempt to address farmers/herders clashes in the country, the Federal Government is considering establishing cow colonies and ranches for herders to rear their animals. The minister, who spoke at a news conference in Abuja at the weekend, said that 13 […]

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has said that in an attempt to address farmers/herders clashes in the country, the Federal Government is considering establishing cow colonies and ranches for herders to rear their animals.

The minister, who spoke at a news conference in Abuja at the weekend, said that 13 states had offered about 5,000 hectares each to help actualise the plan.

Ogbeh, who estimated the daily consumption of cows across the country at between 80,000 and 90,000, noted that the sector had been neglected.

He described the neglect as an ‘economic danger’ which would face the country if not adequately tackled urgently.

“The livestock subsector is bedeviled by many constraints like low productivity, breeds of livestock and conflicts.

“There is therefore the need to come up with new strategies to tackle these challenges. 

“As a matter of fact, Nigeria is taking a bold step by breaking away from the traditional livestock rearing practices and embracing modern methods involving the private sector in animal production, animal health care delivery, processing and marketing,’’ the minister said.