Agricultural stakeholders have emphasized the need for Nigeria to adopt ranching as the modern livestock business practice. Experts argue that failing to eliminate open grazing will continue to harm the over $100 billion industry. They also believe that the creation of a Ministry of Livestock by the Federal Government may be a waste of time and resources.
While some experts have praised the government’s initiative to create the ministry, others argue that it does not address the core issues affecting the livestock industry. They highlight that livestock encompasses more than just cattle, including poultry, piggery, ram, goat, and fishery, which have been neglected and must be considered in addressing the sector’s challenges.
Some stakeholders accuse the Federal Government of favoring a particular region of the country and argue that no progress has been made with ranching as a solution to the open-grazing debate. Kola Aderibigbe from the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Agric and Agro Allied Group, supports the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development by President Bola Tinubu. He states that farmers are eager to understand the government’s plans for the ministry and how it will address food insecurity, herder-farmer clashes, and farm invasions.
Aderibigbe sees the livestock industry as an untapped multi-billion-dollar opportunity that could boost the dairy sector and create more opportunities. However, he stresses the need for the government to unveil its plans before professionals can provide further commentary. He also highlights the ongoing issues of insecurity, intimidation, and farm destruction faced by farmers, suggesting that the ministry could help address these problems if properly implemented.
Udeme Etuk, Managing Director of Chanan Elo’a Integrated Farm Limited, an expert in the dairy industry, argues against the need for a separate Ministry of Livestock. He believes the Ministry of Agriculture is well-equipped to handle livestock issues. Etuk, a prominent member of the Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria, emphasizes that the livestock industry’s problems go beyond herders moving cows across the country. He asserts that without the political will to enforce ranching, the crisis will persist.
Etuk points out that open grazing is not practiced in modern countries and that ranching is essential for a sustainable livestock business. He argues that the real owners of the cows have sufficient resources to establish ranches and run their businesses effectively. Ranching, he says, would result in healthier and more productive livestock, while also reducing farmer-herder clashes.
In conclusion, Etuk calls for political will to enforce modern livestock practices, emphasizing that livestock business is a private venture. The government should focus on developing the industry to boost the economy and benefit the people, rather than investing directly in private businesses.
