The Federal Government has selected Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Adamawa states, alongside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for the pilot implementation of its National Ranching Policy.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, disclosed this on Tuesday after briefing President Bola Tinubu on the ministry’s activities at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Maiha said the pilot programme would begin at the Wase Grazing Reserve in Plateau State as a proof of concept for the government’s proposed ranching model.
He explained that the selected locations had experienced some of the country’s highest levels of farmer-herder conflicts, making them strategic for testing the new approach to livestock production.
According to the minister, the movement of large herds of cattle has become increasingly difficult as traditional grazing routes have been lost to farming, urbanisation and infrastructure development.
“Our understanding is that large numbers of cattle on the move are crisis-prone because grazing routes have disappeared due to farming, urbanisation and infrastructure development.
“Nomadism, as we know it, is no longer sustainable and we need a different concept,” he said.
Under the proposed model, pastoralists will be encouraged to keep their livestock within designated ranching areas rather than move long distances in search of pasture and water.
Maiha said the government would promote the cultivation of improved grasses within ranches to ensure a steady supply of nutritious feed for livestock.
“Today, we go and fetch the grass and bring it where the animals are. Better still, grow the grass where the animals are,” he said.
He added that designated ranching communities would be developed with housing, veterinary clinics, schools, primary healthcare centres, solar lighting and water facilities.
According to him, the grazing reserves would also be developed into livestock economic hubs capable of attracting milk processors, modular abattoirs, bio-digesters and other businesses along the livestock value chain.
“Imagine what you are going to have if you have 30,000 herds of cattle in one area. The milk collection alone will attract processors and many other investments,” Maiha said.
The minister said the Federal Government had consulted more than 34 pastoralist organisations as part of efforts to build support for the policy.
He said the ministry recently met pastoralist leaders under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, with another engagement expected within two weeks.
Maiha also disclosed that the government was implementing a nationwide livestock identification programme using radio-frequency technology.
He said the programme would involve tagging four-legged livestock to establish their identity, location and ownership.
The initiative, he added, would help tackle cattle rustling, facilitate the recovery of missing animals and create a comprehensive national livestock database.
Beyond ranching, the minister said the ministry was developing the dairy, red meat and poultry sectors through commercial fodder production, modern abattoirs and expanded veterinary services.
He disclosed that seven model veterinary clinics had already been established, with plans to provide at least one model veterinary hospital in every state.
The government is also strengthening vaccine storage infrastructure and encouraging private-sector investment in dairy and red meat value chains.
Maiha said about 20 states had established livestock ministries or agencies, describing the development as evidence of increasing support for the government’s livestock development agenda.
He commended President Tinubu for supporting reforms in the sector and quoted him as saying that “the value chains in the livestock sector are fantastic,” while encouraging Nigerians to explore opportunities across the industry.
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