A postgraduate student of the Federal University of Agriculture,Abeokuta Mr Olayemi Michael has embarked on massive dissemination and training on hydroponics fodder production among Fulani herdsmen within the country. This is aimed at reducing open grazing while providing high quality fodder for their cattle without soil.

Speaking at one of the study area, the Seriki Fulani of Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun state, Alhaji Umaru Saani expressed his profound gratitude to the researcher for bringing such innovation to his people. He further testify to the relative advantage of providing high quality hydroponics fodder all-year round for their cattle within seven (7) days. He also acknowledge the fact that they have been noticing considerable gain in body weight of their cattle after adopting hydroponics fodder. The Seriki Fulani went further to admonish other Fulani herdsmen across the country to embrace this innovation.

The climax of the training saw the construction of low cost bamboo hydroponics system which was freely donated to the Fulani community by the researcher.

In his words, Mr Olayemi Michael believes that since we do not eat meat seasonally our cows should not rely only on seasonal grass. He opines that the best way to mitigate the continuous bloodshed between Fulani herdsmen and farmers is for the Fulani community to adopt innovations which does not rely on rainfall or Soil which can sustainably produce high quality fodder all year round. He believes that the best way to empower a man is to teach him how to fish rather than give him fish, hence, his drive to train more Fulani herdsmen across the country.

The scholar also noted that in order to meet the ever growing demand for meat in States like Lagos where 7,000 cattle is been slaughtered per day, their is an urgent need for cattle producers to adopt innovative production techniques such as hydroponics fodder in the face of climate change.

He further called on NGOs, parastatal[b][/b][/b][b], Government agency and relevant stakeholders for collaborations in order to impact more Fulani community who have signified interest in adopting the innovation.

He however appreciate members of his supervisory team from the Federal University of Agriculture,Abeokuta and likewise his coach, Pastor Debo Onafowora, MD of BIC Farms concepts for there immense guidance towards the success of the research.

Nice. The rest of the country doing bits while these Fulanis and their master do fvck all.

Most of them are not willing to invest anything meaningful in cattle farming. Their business model - is buy the cattle, give it to herders to protect and provide for the herds from whatever sources possible, whether legal or illegal. They want a business where they will invest little or nothing and then make huge profits. Until they invest seriously in cattle farming, their clash with other people will continue.