The Federal Government has been spurred by the Farmers in Nigeria to establish commercial ranches across the country where herders would graze their cattle and pay rents for the services received from the ranches.
All Farmers Association of Nigeria, collectively speaking as a body stated that it was high time the government stopped the movement of cattle from one location to the other, leading to losses of crops and clashes in many villages.
They backed the move for a bill that would ban open grazing, stressing that this would not only tackle cases of farmers and herders clashes in various communities but would lead to a drop in food prices.
According to the PUNCH, South-West Chairman, AFAN, Femi Oke, stated that ranches should be commercialised and this should be given speedy attention by the legislature and the executive arms of government.
He said, “I was one of the speakers during the recent World Food Safety Day in Lagos and it was raised that open grazing should be stopped because those people moving around with these cattle destroy many things. So it is not right.
“And if the government can develop a conducive environment by having some ranches where these people can easily go to, pay rent, and graze their cattle, it will be better, and this may lead to a reduction in the prices of things in that axis.
“This will be better instead of moving cattle around and destroying farm crops which people have invested on. So I am in support of the government opening up ranches, but it should be commercialised. People can rent it or the state governments should monitor it.”
Recall that on June 5, 2024, it was reported that tensions ran high as the bill to ban open grazing successfully passed its second reading in the Nigerian Senate.
The report stated that the legislative session was marked by heated debates and strong emotions, reflecting the contentious nature of the proposed law.
If enacted, this bill will finally prohibit open grazing nationwide, aiming to resolve longstanding conflicts between herders and farmers.
