The Federal Government has made a move aimed at resolving the perennial clashes between farmers and Fulani in some parts of northern Nigeria.
This was disclosed at a meeting presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, it was resolved that a technical committee be set up to address the situation.
Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, who disclosed the outcome of the meeting to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting noted that rising stock of livestock population as well as urbanisation which is encroaching on grazing lands were some of the factors fueling the clashes.
He said the meeting identified the need to increase the number of grazing reserves across the country from the current 415.
He regretted that out of the 415, only 141 grazing reserves have been gazetted while less than 20 have been equipped with resources for the pastoralists.
The minister said the technical committee which has two weeks to submit its report is expected to look into how to improve existing grazing reserves and design a new financing regime for the among others.
He said Surveyor-General of the Federation, Prof. Peter Nwilo, and his team were also asked to come up with a detailed map that would show the grazing reserves for proper monitoring.
Adesina also disclosed the government’s resolve to deploy the use of satellite imagery to help track movements of animals.
He said, “Federal government will immediately deploy the use of satellite imagery, remote sensing and GIS maps that will allow government track the movement of animals and understand the challenges across the stock routes.
“We are facing a challenging situation today as a country and that has arisen as a result of conflicts between nomadic cattle herders and farmers clashes that has taken a particularly frightening situation of insecurity.
“We have related developments in Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau and several other states across the country.”
In other to discourage the moving of animals encourage moving of beef, he said more abattoirs would be constructed close to the grazing reserves.
He said the private sector would be encouraged to play a strong role in the arrangement.
While stressing the need for further dialogue and consultation especially in the troubled areas, Adesina said Sambo also directed the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, to ensure proper monitoring of the nation’s borders in order to check cattle rearers who move into the country with arms.
