Punch Editorial Board
Keeping at it in a single - minded and undisguised manner, the Federal Government eventually had its way when it made public on Tuesday its resolve to set up and fund cattle ranches across 10 states of the federation, in an apparent bid to assuage the thirst for destruction of the rampaging Fulani herdsmen . Unveiled at the National Economic Council ’ s National Livestock Transformation Plan , the government said that it was agreed with states as part of efforts to end the frequent attacks on farmers and other Nigerians by the negatively rambunctious herdsmen .
The government has now decided to set up 94 ranches to be funded with N 70bn in the pilot phase of three years and then N179 bn in a total period of 10 years . There will also be clusters of 30, 60 , 150 , and 300 cow ranch models in a location within the donated and gazetted grazing reserves . The designers of the programme say each ranch will be “ an integrated business , which makes provision for (a ) the development of commercial crop production to support livestock through the supply of quality fodder and other feed materials , (b ) the formation of producers into clusters to create viable ranch herd sizes, and ( c) creation of cooperatives to facilitate improved access to inputs , infrastructure, finance, markets, and support services. ” Audu Ogbeh , Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, concludes that there is no going back on the project . He said, “ This conflict is not peculiar to Nigeria; it’ s happening in Argentina; it happened in the U . S. in the 19th century, in Pakistan and others. So , this is what we should have started doing 20 years ago. We didn’ t and that ’ s why we are where we are . ”
He ’ s wrong. The 10 - year National Livestock Plan is gratuitous , discriminatory and offensive. Linked with the controversial bill to establish a Regulatory Framework for the Water Resources Sector in Nigeria, the sinister motive of the initiators of the programme becomes obvious. As is often said, cattle farming is a private business , the responsibility for which should be that of the owners . Cattle farming in Australia , Canada and the United States is purely the affair of the state or provincial government. In the US, cattle rearing originated in Texas in 1820 . In 1875 , Texas (State) set aside three million acres in the Panhandle to raise funds for public projects. A Chicago syndicate purchased the property in 1882 for raising cattle , according to the Bullock Texas State History Museum . Private companies own the cattle business in Canada as well. Private businessmen equally operate the cattle business in Australia , with the S. Kidman & Co, owning 10 ranches , including the Anna Creek Station , reputed to be the largest in the world .
In Brazil, which is the second largest beef exporter in the world , the government aids the cattle trade by facilitating low- interest loans to farmers. Through this system , Brazil has grown to become a major player in the meat business . Brazil’ s Foreign Trade Secretariat states that from an income of $1. 9 m in 1994 , beef export income of Brazil jumped to $1. 9bn in 2004 , providing 360 , 000 direct jobs. Brazil ’ s cattle farmers own about 80 million cattle head in the Amazon region alone .
It has often been argued that ranching is the solution to the current scorched- earth policy of the Fulani herdsmen , but no one envisaged that the government would be the one to take up that responsibility of providing the facilities on behalf of the herders. Take, for instance, the case of people who run piggeries, will the government go to this length in funding and providing space for them in all parts of the country ? The case of the Niger Delta people is a good example of how a people have been denied their means of livelihood and yet nothing is done to change their situation . These are people that depend largely on fishing for their subsistence. But this means of livelihood has been taken away by oil spills, which have poisoned and killed the aquatic life in that area . What effort is the government making to dredge inland rivers for them in Sokoto or Maiduguri, for instance, to regain their fishing business ? What is so special about cattle farming that it should be turned into a national responsibility?
No doubt , Nigeria needs to improve its cattle business to the modern age . But it should be the responsibility of states where cattle rearing is the predominant occupation of the people that should provide the enabling environment while the cattle farmers pick the bill . As the Federal Government did with the Anchor Borrowers Programme for rice, it should facilitate such loans for cattle farmers. Such loans would be used to buy land in their states of choice. Besides , of the states to host the ranches – Adamawa , Benue , Ebonyi, Edo , Kaduna , Nasarawa , Oyo , Plateau , Taraba and Zamfara – four do not have much to do with cattle rearing .
What has been apparent in the decision of the government is the fact that it has gone ahead with the plans of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association to march their cattle across any part of the country , whether the owners of such land like it or not. The government , through many of its agents, had insisted that there were grazing routes dating back to pre -independence period , which they imperiously insist must be respected. When the idea was resisted , it came up with the concept of grazing colony . Now , it is ranches on other people’ s land . Whether it is called grazing route or grazing colony or ranches , what difference does it make? It is the same dogged resolve of the government - backed Fulani herdsmen to have their way playing out .
We insist that establishing ranches is purely a private enterprise . And the rule of common law requires cattle owners to fence in their animals. States that see its economic potential are free to decide to support and subsidise it with incentives . When this newspaper and other voices called for ranching , it was never suggested to be financed by the Federal Government . Just as state support has not meant government establishing rice farms, fish ponds, cotton farms, cocoa farms, cassava or soya beans farms or SMEs across the country, policies should be put in place to promote ranching , not compel states or enmesh the Federal Government directly in cattle farming.
The government has its rice policy but did not ask Kebbi and Lagos states to collaborate to produce the popular Lake rice brand: this was purely an economic decision by the two states . States that so desire and have advantage in livestock, may partner the private sector or collaborate as some are doing with rice. The ideal however is to create an enabling environment for local and foreign investors to move in , establish profitable ranches and help solve our food security crisis and eradicate the primitive practice of herding .
If the expectation is to see an end to the bloodletting currently sweeping across the land , it is doubtful that this is the right way to go about it . Many states in India have made laws prohibiting cattle damaging private and farmland, public roads, canals and embankments. Intentional herding or grazing of livestock on another person ’ s land without their consent is criminal and must end here , too.
The most pressing responsibility of the Buhari government is to disarm , apprehend and prosecute killer - herders , halt their rampage and protect their victims. State governors should join the principled resistance platform of Governor Samuel Ortom , who has declared bluntly that Benue State has no vacant land to provide for ranches .

http://punchng.com/fgs-wrong-headed-solution-to-herdsmens-terrorism/

Will government fund my goat ranch too...This very absurd...Is government going to lease the land or outright purchase.

If my own chicken farm is not granted a ranch in at least 20 states, they are talking trash.

if not for yoloba Muslims that supports this evil government by now they'll will be feeling the wrath of the people

Buhari is a criminal terrorist
kpomkwem

Excellent observation by Punch. What Nigerians should note here is that buhari's destructive govt is taking advantage of terrorist fulani herdsmen violence/massacre in Nigeria to advance their much beloved FULANI EXPANSIONIST AGENDA!
The vigor in which they are DESPERATELY trying to convert "Cattle Rearing" (A PRIVATE BUSINESS) into "Govt Business" is another indication/Proof that the massacre of Christians in Nigeria especially the Middle Belt by fulani herdsmen is a STATE SPONSORED program - to advance the agenda of Usman Danfodio over Middle Belt and Southern Nigeria.

DrGoodman:
If my own chicken farm is not granted a ranch in at least 20 states, they are talking trash.

Exactly. If buhari's govt insist on deception to give land to his fulani brothers in Benue, Plateau, Oyo and Ebonyi state, buhari should also not hesitate to give lands to Pig, Goat, Chicken farmers in Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano and Katsina.

WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS ALSO GOOD FOR THE GANDER.

saaron:
Exactly. If buhari's govt insist on deception to give land to his fulani brothers in Benue, Plateau, Oyo and Ebonyi state, buhari should also not hesitate to give lands to Pig, Goat, Chicken farmers in Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano and Katsina.

WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS ALSO GOOD FOR THE GANDER.

If our elders allow this to stand; nothing should stop me from having lands for pigs.

The FG under Buhari has been deceitful up to the extent that one can lo longer believe a word from the government.

It is senseless for a government to allocate Free Land to killer herdsmen in the name of ranching instead of arresting MACBAN and Miyetti Allah leaders in order to end the onslaught on middle beltans.

It is forbidden for government to consider some of its citizens from a particular geographical region more important than the other citizens.

While every sane Nigerian should refuse this policy, the insane ones in support of this failed government should take note that no powerful nation will grow through segregation, discrimination and inequality.


The North has no positive plan for Nigeria, if not, why aren’t we better off after over 40 years of northerners in power?

Omooba77:


If our elders allow this to stand; nothing should stop me from having lands for pigs.

Most of our elders are dull and unexposed, the exposed ones are only there for their selfish gains so it is up to our youths to use the next presidential election to decide .


Every Nigerian deserves equal treatment so you deserve as much land as a Fulani

mrborntodoit:




Most of our elders are dull and unexposed, the exposed ones are only there for their selfish gains so it is up to our youths to use the next presidential election to decide .


Every Nigerian deserves equal treatment so you deserve as much land as a Fulani

That is the truth; I should have lands for my pigs;ducks and hens in Sokoto, Kano and Borno.

Thanks for this Report. Buhari is actually the Darling of Niger, Chad and Cameroon. He spends Nigerian Money anyhow to make Trunk A Roads, build Bridges, Schools and others facilities for these areas. His Co-accomplices in these business are Kwankwanso, Shettima, Modu Sherif etc. The Motive this time is to bring the people to Nigeria, as Herdsmen, give them National ID Cards and PVCs and settle them everywhere in Nigeria for his own selfish aggrandisement. Buhari is spoiling for Anarchy to enable him rule supreme.

orisa37:
Thanks for this Report. Buhari is actually the Darling of Niger, Chad and Cameroon. He spends Nigerian Money anyhow to make Trunk A Roads, build Bridges, Schools and others facilities for these areas. His Co-accomplices in these business are Kwankwanso, Shettima, Modu Sherif etc. The Motive this time is to bring the people to Nigeria, as Herdsmen, give them National ID Cards and PVCs and settle them everywhere in Nigeria for his own selfish aggrandisement. Buhari is spoiling for Anarchy to enable him rule supreme.

Our constitution must be reviewed.

One only has to put the opinion of Buhari against his previous opinions to see the level of paradox we are dealing with here.

Why appeal to foreigners who are killing those you swore to protect?
Why hasn't this same govt intervened in cocoa farming, piggery, poultry, and fishing?
This is a clear attempt to take mediocrity to another level.

Omooba77:


That is the truth; I should have lands for my pigs;ducks and hens in Sokoto, Kano and Borno.

Exactly. Lalasticlala won't see this thread oh. Na tonto dikeh him go dey find for celebrity section.

mrborntodoit:




Most of our elders are dull and unexposed, the exposed ones are only there for their selfish gains so it is up to our youths to use the next presidential election to decide .


Every Nigerian deserves equal treatment so you deserve as much land as a Fulani

These same herdsmen were tagged as foreigners by buhari and el rufai in time past so why use N170b to fund killer foreigners against locals who's tax's pays his salary.

Buhari sees himself as a northern president than the president of Nigeria. This is reason for his open bias in everything that has to do with the killer herdsmen that his government has been shielding by blaming some imaginary Ghaddafi fighters.


A man that could march down to Oyo state and confront the governor with the allegation of "YOUR PEOPLE are killing MY PEOPLE" should have alerted Nigerians that this man cannot make a good leader. But then, what do you expect of a youthful population that pays no attention to history.

Omooba77:

Our constitution must be reviewed.

.

He jetissoned The National Conference Report of Goodluck

Waoo twale for this piece, respect!!

As usual, we will rant online and on the pages of newspapers...all rants and no action.

When will we ever be brave enough to come out and reject anti-people policies openly and with one voice? It's about time we come out in protest; Not as youruba, Igbo or middle beltans but as Nigerians!

Say no to Buhari government sponsored cattle ranching,say no to Fulani expansionist agenda,say no to Janjaweeed in Nigeria and finally vote out Omar al-Bashir (Buhari) of Nigeria in 2019.

orisa37:
.


He jetissoned The National Conference Report of Goodluck

The Truth is that Nigeria is lopsided and tilted to favour some; one day we will get it right

I've always maintained that using the National resources to placate some people and cater for their private business is a very bad idea that stinks of selfishness.

The Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture and other financial institutions can give soft loans to herders to set up ranches.

Most disturbing is the idea of setting up the ranches across the nation. Of course, the Governors who want favours from the presidency would be more than willing to gift the ancestral land of their people to the ranchers. We are a people that forgets history easily. Twenty, thirty years to come, these ranchers will definitely begin to lay claim to the lands. Jos is still a sore case.

The Killer Herdsmen are terrorists and should be treated so.

LibertyRep:
I've always maintained that using the National resources to placate some people and cater for their private business is a very bad idea that stinks of selfishness.

The Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture and other financial institutions can give soft loans to herders to set up ranches.

Most disturbing is the idea of setting up the ranches across the nation. Of course, the Governors who want favours from the presidency would be more than willing to gift the ancestral land of their people to the ranchers. We are a people that forgets history easily. Twenty, thirty years to come, these ranchers will definitely begin to lay claim to the lands. Jos is still a sore case.

The Killer Herdsmen are terrorists and should be treated so.

Do we keep history. How can we use collective resources to cater for few privilege ones.

Omooba77:


The Truth is that Nigeria is lopsided and tilted to favour some; one day we will get it right

.


God will soon raise Soldiers from Nigeria's stones and a Messiah to deliver us from these shameless Fulani Herdsmen.