From Joseph Asegba, Yola
The Federal Government has inaugurated the National Council on Livestock Development (NCOLD) and officially approved ranching as the new method of cattle rearing across the country, marking a major step toward ending the recurring clashes between farmers and herders.
The inaugural council meeting, themed “Livestock Rebirth: Accelerating Renewed Hope,” was held on Monday at the Banquet Hall of the Adamawa State Government House, Yola.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Livestock Development, Mallam Idi Muktar Maiha, said the era of open grazing had come to an end.
According to him, open grazing has triggered years of bloodshed, destruction of farmlands, and needless loss of lives across the country.
“Open grazing has caused bloodbath for years, creating crises and unnecessary deaths,” the minister said. “The Federal Government frowns on open grazing, and anyone caught engaging in it is encouraged to adopt ranching.
Ranching is safer, more modern, and produces healthier, fatter cattle suitable for commercial purposes.”
Maiha noted that the ministry, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s livestock transformation agenda, is positioning the sector to become Nigeria’s next major revenue source after oil and gas.
He said the ministry projects livestock earnings of $74 billion in five years, adding that the sector had already generated more than $14 billion since the reform process began.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, represented by his deputy, Prof. Kaletapwa Farauta, welcomed the minister and described Adamawa as the “home of livestock,” commending the Federal Government for selecting the state to host the maiden council meeting.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Livestock, Senator Musa Mustapha, said livestock would soon overtake oil as Nigeria’s major revenue earner.
He added that the Senate was committed to supporting a “business-oriented and development-focused” budget for the ministry.
Similarly, Chairman of the House Committee on Livestock, Hon. Tasir Olawale Raji, praised the ministry’s reforms, especially the abolition of open grazing, describing it as “long overdue.”
He said the introduction of ranching would significantly reduce clashes between farmers and herders while boosting the productivity of the livestock sector.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, thanked private investors supporting ranching initiatives, including Dan Lawan Adamawa and Alhaji Sadiq Daware. She also commended the Adamawa livestock industry for “remarkable achievements over the past 12 years.”
The event was attended by senior government officials, livestock industry investors, lawmakers, and traditional leaders.