The National Animal Production and Research Institute (NAPRI), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has urged herdsmen across the country to embrace ranching to avoid unnecessary clashes with farmers.
The call followed a series of meetings convened by the Institute for the two groups, alongside community leaders and other stakeholders on acts of modern animal husbandry and farming.
NAPRI estimated that several conflicts that occur annually – involving the death of herders and farmers, or even the destruction of farms and houses – could be mitigated if the herdsmen would embrace ranching over nomadism.
Speaking during a workshop in Kaduna State, an agricultural expert Professor Bathlomey Nwagu noted that setting up of ranches for herders was the best way for modern animal husbandry.
According to him, conflict arises when farmers encroach on transhumance paths, leading herders to move onto agricultural lands to feed their animals.
“Having considered the constant conflicts between the pastoralists (animal rearers), the nomads and farmers; NAPRI thought it wise to train the pastoralists, the youths and even the women in the act of modern animal breeding.
“Armed with the little education they will get, they will know the advantages of ranching over nomadism. Having equipped them with that education, they will now certainly go onto ranching rather than migration.In fact, the problem they have is that they don’t have
“In fact, the problem they have is that they don’t have a steady source of feed. This programme we are running will provide the nomads sustained further feed all year round to make them settle down,” said Professor Nwagu.
The National Secretary of Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Sani Dahiru, was hopeful that with adequate and wide consultation, the programme would not only help in curbing conflict between farmers and herders but would have multiplier effects such as employment opportunities for the youths.
He said: “This programme which has all the stakeholders is a very good initiative to educate our people on how to settle and sit as brothers between farmers and animal rearers and at the same time, train and make our people learn how to rear animals and how to settle down in one place; not to be going from one point to another.”
“That will make us stay in one place, learn about fattening, learn about making milk. This is what NAPRI is going to assist us on and most of our people are also aware of the importance of this programme. Members of the association are happy that this will curtail cattle rustling as well as the fight between farmers and herders”.
