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Miyetti Allah urges govt. to provide ranches, says open grazing now obsolete
By Modupe Shodeinde
Miyetti Allah Breeders Association of Nigeria says it is tired of open grazing in Ondo State, calling on government to make provision for ranches as a way of putting an end to frequent herdsmen/ farmers’ crises.
The Chairman of the association in the state, Alhaji Bello Garba, stated this on Wednesday in Akure.
Garba was speaking during a public hearing on a bill to regulate rearing and grazing of livestock and provide for the establishment of ranches and other related matters.
He said that the association would support any peaceful move to address the issue in the state, adding that farmers and herdsmen must carry out their respective activities without clashing.
According to him, the association has also appealed to the state government to register Fulani men in all the LGAs of the state.
The Assistant Secretary of the association in the state, Mr Ibrahim Abdul-Rahman, explained that open grazing had become obsolete and needed to be banned.
Abdul-Rahman asked all stakeholders to embrace modern cattle rearing technique, saying that farmers and herders must allow peace to reign, considering the importance of both parties to nation’s growth.
Speaker of the assembly, Bamidele Oloyelogun, while declaring the public hearing open, said it was aimed at enhancing peaceful coexistence in the state.
He added that if similar moves had been made in the past, it would have been a different story today.
“It is for peace to reign in our state. This record will go a long way, having effects even on the children yet unborn,” Oloyelogun said.
“Your memoranda and suggestions will be welcome. Please, feel free to air your views and bare your minds, but we must be objective and constructive.”
The speaker said that the bill, when passed into law, would prevent arson and frequent clashes between farmers and herdsmen.
Oloyelogun explained that grazing would be regulated with provision of modern techniques in animal husbandry.
He enjoined participants to shun sentiments and stop abusing one another, saying, “We are all one.”
In his remarks, Taofik Mohammed, chairman of the house committee on agriculture, noted that one of the provisions of the bill is to achieve a peaceful atmosphere in the state.
The lawmaker said it was regrettable that some criminally-minded people had been hiding under the farmers-herders crisis to wreak havoc on innocent citizens.
He explained that the effects of the lingering misunderstanding between farmers and herders have grave effects on the economy, growth and development of the state.
“It is obvious that GDP will adversely drop whenever food and animal production is hampered,” he said.
Mohammed urged participants to take full advantage of the hearing and make invaluable suggestions.
