FG urges farmers/herdsmen to embrace grazing reserve policy

The Federal Government has appealed to herdsmen and farmers to support and embrace its policy on grazing reserves and livestock routes in the country.

Alhaji Mahmud Ibrahim, National Coordinator, Grazing Reserve and Stock Route, made the appeal on Wednesday during an advocacy and sensitization exercise in Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

It was reported that the programme was organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).

Ibrahim noted that the grazing reserve policy of the federal government was the solution to the incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the country.

According to him, government had made provision for social amenities in the grazing reserves in the 2017 budget of the ministry.

Earlier, Alhaji Baba Usman, National Secretary of MACBAN, said that creating grazing routes would end the lingering clashes between farmers and herdsmen.

According to him, the incessant herdsmen/farmers clashes had become a national security threat, adding that the grazing reserve will go a long way in bringing the situation under control.

He charged the herdsmen to embrace the policy, adding that social amenities such as schools, hospitals, earth dams and boreholes would be provided within the grazing reserves.

He attributed the farmers/herdsmen clashes to inadequate attention to the livestock farming by successive administrations in the country.

In a remark, Ishaq Muazu, Nasarawa State Chairman, All Farmer Association of Nigeria, called on farmers to embrace the policy and keep away from lands designated as grazing reserves.