Minister Maiha proffers solutions to farmers-herders clashes 

Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha has proffered solutions to the lingering challenge associated with farmers-clashes responsible for the loss of lives and properties worth billions of naira in the country.

Maiha, who briefed Mr. Wale Raji led House of Representatives committee on Livestock development on Tuesday at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, insisted that the problem would be addressed if herders were restricted to rear their castles in grazing reserves spread across the country.

The Minister who described the farmers-herders conflicts as a sad commentary on the country noted, “We ought to be in a position to stop the genesis, the genesis here is to stop animals moving from point A to point B to feed.

“Once the grazing reserves are properly cultivated with grasses, sanitary provisions are provided for the animals as well as other condiments for life, like schools, hospitals and markets, and then you get a hub like Agricultural cluster where the herders can remain without moving from point A to point B.

“We will know where the farmers are in the grazing reserves as the cattles will be tagged, and so they cannot move from one point to the other for any reason because whatever the cattle requires , it has been actually provided in a sustainable fashion.”

The Minister disclosed that there are 417 grazing reserves in the country, of which 113 of them have been equipped with facilities adding his ministry had already commenced the process of evaluating their facilities and infrastructures in a bid to putting them into use for herders in the country.

Underlining the urgent need to remove the grazing reserves to be equipped with an adequate supply of water, he disclosed that he struck a deal worth $2.5 million with Brazilian investors during his visit to Brazil as part of ongoing effort to reposition the livestock sector in the country.

The Minister who reeled out several measures put in place by the ministry expressed to not only conduct a census but tag the entire cows, donkeys, horses, camels, goats and other livestocks to ascertain their actual numbers, monitor their movements and save them from the nefarious activities of rustlers in the country.

Raji noted that the livestock sector has the potential to create jobs and wealth creation required to contribute to the economic growth and debt of the country.

The Lagos-born lawmaker said members of his committee boast of diverse backgrounds required to support the ministry in actualizing its set objectives.