The Federal Government has selected Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Adamawa states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for the pilot implementation of the National Ranching Policy. The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed this on Tuesday after briefing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the activities of his ministry at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Maiha said the pilot programme would commence at the Wase Grazing Reserve in Plateau State, which will serve as a proof of concept for the Federal Government’s new ranching model. According to the minister, the selected locations were chosen partly because they have experienced some of the highest levels of farmer-herder conflicts in recent years. He explained that the movement of large numbers of cattle across communities had become increasingly difficult due to the disappearance of traditional grazing routes as a result of farming, urbanisation and infrastructure development. “Nomadism, as we know it, is no longer sustainable and we need a different concept,” Maiha said. The minister said the government had engaged more than 34 pastoral organisations as part of efforts to secure the cooperation and support of livestock owners for the ranching policy. He added that the ministry recently held discussions with pastoralist leaders under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, with another engagement expected within the next two weeks. Under the proposed ranching system, pastoralists will be encouraged to keep their animals in designated locations rather than move them over long distances in search of pasture and water. Maiha said the government would promote the cultivation of improved grasses with sufficient nutritional value for livestock. “Today, we go and fetch the grass and bring it where the animals are. Better still, grow the grass where the animals are,” he said. The minister explained that the designated ranching communities would be equipped with essential infrastructure, including housing, veterinary clinics, schools, primary healthcare centres, solar lighting and water facilities. He said the grazing reserves would also be developed into economic hubs capable of attracting milk processing companies, modular abattoirs, bio-digesters and other businesses within the livestock value chain. According to him, concentrating large numbers of cattle in designated ranching areas would create opportunities for investment, particularly in dairy production. “Imagine what you are going to have if you have 30,000 herds of cattle in one area. The milk collection alone will attract processors and many other investments,” he said. Livestock identification programme Maiha also disclosed that the Federal Government was implementing a nationwide livestock identification programme using radio frequency technology. He said livestock would be electronically tagged to enable identification, geolocation and verification of ownership. The initiative, he explained, would help tackle cattle rustling, facilitate the recovery of missing animals and establish a comprehensive national livestock database. The minister further disclosed that the ministry was promoting dairy development, commercial fodder production, modern abattoirs, veterinary services and poultry production across the country. He said seven model veterinary clinics had already been established, with plans to establish at least one model veterinary hospital in every state. Maiha added that the government was also strengthening vaccine storage facilities and encouraging private-sector investment in the dairy and red meat value chains. The minister said about 20 states had established livestock ministries or agencies, describing the development as evidence of increasing acceptance of the Federal Government’s livestock development agenda. He commended President Tinubu for his support for the transformation of the livestock sector and quoted the President as saying that “the value chains in the livestock sector are fantastic.” The President, according to Maiha, also encouraged Nigerians to take advantage of the investment opportunities emerging across the livestock industry. Selects Benue, Four Other States, FCT for Pilot Ranching Programme The Federal Government has selected Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Adamawa states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for the pilot implementation of the National Ranching Policy. The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed this on Tuesday after briefing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the activities of his ministry at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Maiha said the pilot programme would commence at the Wase Grazing Reserve in Plateau State, which will serve as a proof of concept for the Federal Government’s new ranching model. According to the minister, the selected locations were chosen partly because they have experienced some of the highest levels of farmer-herder conflicts in recent years. He explained that the movement of large numbers of cattle across communities had become increasingly difficult due to the disappearance of traditional grazing routes as a result of farming, urbanisation and infrastructure development. “Nomadism, as we know it, is no longer sustainable and we need a different concept,” Maiha said. The minister said the government had engaged more than 34 pastoral organisations as part of efforts to secure the cooperation and support of livestock owners for the ranching policy. He added that the ministry recently held discussions with pastoralist leaders under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, with another engagement expected within the next two weeks. Under the proposed ranching system, pastoralists will be encouraged to keep their animals in designated locations rather than move them over long distances in search of pasture and water. Maiha said the government would promote the cultivation of improved grasses with sufficient nutritional value for livestock. “Today, we go and fetch the grass and bring it where the animals are. Better still, grow the grass where the animals are,” he said. The minister explained that the designated ranching communities would be equipped with essential infrastructure, including housing, veterinary clinics, schools, primary healthcare centres, solar lighting and water facilities. He said the grazing reserves would also be developed into economic hubs capable of attracting milk processing companies, modular abattoirs, bio-digesters and other businesses within the livestock value chain. According to him, concentrating large numbers of cattle in designated ranching areas would create opportunities for investment, particularly in dairy production. “Imagine what you are going to have if you have 30,000 herds of cattle in one area. The milk collection alone will attract processors and many other investments,” he said. Livestock identification programme Maiha also disclosed that the Federal Government was implementing a nationwide livestock identification programme using radio frequency technology. He said livestock would be electronically tagged to enable identification, geolocation and verification of ownership. The initiative, he explained, would help tackle cattle rustling, facilitate the recovery of missing animals and establish a comprehensive national livestock database. The minister further disclosed that the ministry was promoting dairy development, commercial fodder production, modern abattoirs, veterinary services and poultry production across the country. He said seven model veterinary clinics had already been established, with plans to establish at least one model veterinary hospital in every state. Maiha added that the government was also strengthening vaccine storage facilities and encouraging private-sector investment in the dairy and red meat value chains. The minister said about 20 states had established livestock ministries or agencies, describing the development as evidence of increasing acceptance of the Federal Government’s livestock development agenda. He commended President Tinubu for his support for the transformation of the livestock sector and quoted the President as saying that “the value chains in the livestock sector are fantastic.” The President, according to Maiha, also encouraged Nigerians to take advantage of the investment opportunities emerging across the livestock industry.

Posted: 2days ago

Author: Editor in Chief

Current date: 14 August 2026