₦airaland Forum

The Senate on Tuesday unanimously adopted Senator Henry Seriake Dickson's position that the Federal Government should provide funds for the establishment of ranches across the country in collaboration with states, local government areas, and businesses.

Sen. Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, while contributing to the debate on perennial clashes between herders and farmers, said: "Animal husbandry is a legitimate business. Maybe we should use the opportunity of this motion, as we deal with this every time. We should use this opportunity to mandate the committee, especially now that the President has established a ministry to deal with livestock issues.

"Let us mandate them to interact with the executive and come up with a proposal for nationwide ranching. As a legitimate business, the Federal Government has to intervene and provide funding because these herdsmen are actually victims of the economic situation as well, carrying cattle from Sokoto State and trekking to Bayelsa, Lagos, and other states.

"The Senate Committee on National Security and the Senate Committee on Agriculture should interface with the executive arm, the newly established Ministry of Livestock, and the Ministry of Agriculture to develop a proposal for the Senate to consider regarding the establishment of modern ranches that are commercially viable and safe for both herders and locals across the country."

He stated that these efforts should be undertaken with the states, local governments, and private businesses that want to invest in ranching. Sen. Dickson's belief in ranching as a solution to open grazing, which is at the center of the clashes between farmers and herdsmen, dates back to his policy 10 years ago when, as Governor of Bayelsa State, he suggested that the federal, state, and local governments, along with businesses, should invest in ranches where herdsmen could keep their animals and operate their businesses. He had also stated that the Central Bank of Nigeria should provide financing in the form of loans.

In Bayelsa, herdsmen and their animals were assigned a location in Bayelsa Palms, where the police and civil defense provided security. There were water sources, an abattoir, veterinary services, a cattle market, and grasses for the animals. Bayelsa then announced stern measures against the illegal bearing of weapons by anyone.

Sen. Dickson had explained that since the Constitution provides for the freedom of movement of people and their goods and property, it would be illegal to ban herdsmen from moving with their animals. The Bayelsa policy has since become a state law.

budaatum:
Open grazing must be banned! I support ranching and wish Buhari had been supported when it was proposed.

budaatum:
I wonder what they've been waiting for. Bet they never supported the Livestock Transformation Development Plan that many derogatively called Ruga though that would have forced cattle rearing on to a ranch and out of the hands of the cattle rearing Fulanis.

budaatum:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOOPUKvG208

Livestock Transformation Development Plan

The Fear of Fulani Herdsmen and Cows!

Cattle Ranch 101

budaatum:
No one listened when Buhari proposed this.

Franking:
On whose land? Don't rob Peter to pay Paul .... what's happening in Plateau state should teach everyone a lesson. Give the Fulani an inch of your land under whatever guise and in a few years they'll be chasing you out. Tread with caution.

Conciousnigeria:
In the business sense there's nothing bad about the idea, but what about the Political sense here?? Benue people tried it , welcomed then with open Arms today the Fulani's have overpowered them and then over their lands. Truth is we need to deal with the issue of over taking, maybe in giving out lands in non fulani states there should be some limitations to avoid taking over of the lands of the Aborigines.

[b]Animal husbandry is a legitimate business. Maybe we should use the opportunity of this motion, as we deal with this every time. We should use this opportunity to mandate the committee, especially now that the President has established a ministry to deal with livestock issues.

"Let us mandate them to interact with the executive and come up with a proposal for nationwide ranching. As a legitimate business, the Federal Government has to intervene and provide funding because these herdsmen are actually victims of the economic situation as well, carrying cattle from Sokoto State and trekking to Bayelsa, Lagos, and other states.

"The Senate Committee on National Security and the Senate Committee on Agriculture should interface with the executive arm, the newly established Ministry of Livestock, and the Ministry of Agriculture to develop a proposal for the Senate to consider regarding the establishment of modern ranches that are commercially viable and safe for both herders and locals across the country."[/b]

ajailer:
It's time to totally adopt ranching cos if a northerner gets to the seat of power, they will never accept it. Open grazing has everything against it.... even those cattles sef dey suffer join.

ogugwa1992:
https://dailytrust.com/senate-adopts-dicksons-call-for-modern-ranching/

NetbizBoss:
Open gracing is outdated, it is only in Nigeria that we are still practicing it