Nigerian government charges NIAS on proffering solution to herders-farmers conflict
March 11, 2021
The Federal Government, Friday, charged the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, NIAS, on proffering solutions to the incessant herders/farmers conflict threatening food availability, affordability, and security.
The charge was given by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Nanono, at the inauguration of the 5th Council of NIAS in Abuja.
According to Nanono, the Prof. Abubakar-led Council is replete with men and women of quality to serve as a driving force and motivation to the management of the Institute to consolidate on the achievements of the past, and continue to deliver on the mandates of the Institute to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the agenda of the government on food security.
FG charges NIAS on proffering solution to herders/farmers conflict
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By Gabriel Ewepu – Abuja
The Federal Government, Friday, charged the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, NIAS, on proffering solutions to the incessant herders/farmers conflict threatening food availability, affordability, and security.
The charge was given by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Nanono, at the inauguration of the 5th Council of NIAS in Abuja.
According to Nanono, the Prof. Abubakar-led Council is replete with men and women of quality to serve as a driving force and motivation to the management of the Institute to consolidate on the achievements of the past, and continue to deliver on the mandates of the Institute to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the agenda of the government on food security.
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The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, has said that the Nigerian livestock industry forms 18 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the agricultural sector and worth over N33 trillion.
The Minister said this subsector should not be neglected instead, it should be given proper attention.
Nanono said this, on Thursday, in Abuja while inaugurating the 5th Council of the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS).
He regretted that the continued crisis between herdsmen and farmers in the country does not go well with the development of the livestock industry.
Noting that cattle form the most important part of livestock development of any country because of its size, value and mobility, Nanono said the country needs to quickly transit from conflict era to becoming a net exporter of premium beef.
Grazing
As the country continues to witness widespread conflict between farmers and herders, which has gradually snowballed into criminality, stakeholders in the livestock sector have highlighted the need to transform all the gazetted grazing reserves in the country into ranches.
The Nigeria Livestock industry is worth over N30tr, stakeholders are of the opinion that if the 25 million cows in the country are well managed, it could become a top foreign exchange earner for the country, enhance food nutrition and security, increase employment and wealth creation, as well as increase the social stability of the owners.
According to them, cows remain important asset in the country, but the industry is plagued with series of challenges threatening its sustainability.
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The Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) has advocated for the introduction of ranches in order to end the lingering crisis between farmers and herdsmen.
The Institute said cattle remain a valuable national asset to the country and its production must be sustained.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Registrar/CEO of NIAS, Professor Eustace Iyayi, said the nation must move away from the transhumance mode to the modern and more sustainable ranching method of cattle production.