Olawunmi Ojo

The implementation of the Federal Government’s plan for a special grass cultivation programme across the nation as a means of stemming incessant clashes between farmers and normadic cattle herdsmen may begin soon.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, gave the hint when the he received the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Mr. Ebisintei Awudu.

Ogbeh said the resolve of government would improve agribusiness in the livestock sector by expanding it to include commercial production of grass in the southern part of the country to feed cattle.




According to him, it would bring to an end the roaming of the cattle-rearers and perennial conflicts between the pastoralists and crop farmers in different parts of the nation.

To this end, Ogbeh disclosed that some grasses that produced 28 per cent crude protein, taken from Africa to Brazil and which had been subjected to 16 years of research, would be brought in for use under this programme.

“By the end of April this year, the first grass supply may have arrived or could be on the way to the country.

“We are taking a radical step and we are beginning now. We are going to grow grass on a very large scale across the country,” he said.

The minister emphasised that the continued existence of cattle grazing and stock routes would continue to breed conflicts and deaths.

To reverse the untoward trends, Ogbeh stressed that cattle roaming had to end. “We just have to grow grass. The largest cattle ranch in the world is in Saudi Arabia with 153,000 cows, and the country sells milk to other gulf states. But they buy grass from Sudan and US, and are planning to buy more from Ethiopia.”

He noted that the north was not yet a desert, saying, “It is only arid.”

Besides, he said the north had many dams that could be used for irrigation and cultivation of grass, in addition to what would be done in the south.

“If certain countries sell grass to Saudi Arabia, there is no reason we cannot grow grass in Nigeria in the south and sell to the north of this country.”

While noting that the old grazing reserve system was no longer feasible as states were having problems with it, Ogbeh said if the grass programme was well implemented, Nigeria should have no roaming of cattle in another five years.

Meanwhile, the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Awudu, said that his office had mapped the entire country and had its satellite image at 2.5 metre resolution.

He said his office was ready to assist the Minsitry of Agriculture in survey and mapping of soils, placement of canals and other infrastructure, and site selection for animal husbandry.

On his part, a director in the office of the surveyor-general, Barde Jatau, who was also on the team, stressed the need for collaboration between the ministry and the office.

Jatau said, “The office had collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture on geospatial imagery, which will play a key role in site selection for animal husbandry.”

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Plant trees also. Our climate is changing. We need both the grasses and the trees also.

How do they rear cow in America? Please the grass should be grown in Fulani states alone.

divinehand2003:
Plant trees also. Our climate is changing. We need both the grasses and the trees also.

Nice one.. At least all this nonses killings here and there would stop..

DIVINE78:

How do they rear cow in America? Please the grass should be grown in Fulani states alone.

Yes ke ori E fokasibe

SmartChoices:


Yes ke ori E fokasibe

The divine covenant of Peace upon my land is more than sufficient to keep me from every evil Jesus Mighty Name.

Anything that will keep those murderous herdsmen off peoples farms is a welcome development, their murderous thieving activities have gone out of hand. The northern state governors should open ranches for them

DIVINE78:

How do they rear cow in America? Please the grass should be grown in Fulani states alone.

The cows will be eaten there too?

While some see oppurtunities others see problems

Obiagelli:

The cows will be eaten there too?

While some see oppurtunities others see problems

Fishermen fish in the high sea and people people on the land eat the fish. Must you live onshore before you eat fish.
Security of lives and properties in the southern south is far worth more than cow meat abeg.

Another fraudulent contract is looming. Before you know it, #3.6b will be allocated to one Fulani man for supply of grass.

henryutd:
Another fraudulent contract is looming. Before you know it, #3.6b will be allocated to one Fulani man for supply of grass.

Lol

cattle do not graze on grass alone, they also require animal feed.

.

Ogbe should import Grass and distribute to state Governments to incorporate in their system and programs for Agriculture and Ranches. Federal Government has no business planting grass in any state of Nigeria.

Good one. I also hope the implementation does not become a story for the gods? Ogbeh is better placed than any other Nigerian to tell of the sadness, tears and blood that these so called fulani-herdmen leave in their trail.