The Federal Government has renewed calls for herders across Nigeria to embrace settled livestock farming as part of efforts to modernise the sector and address recurring clashes linked to open grazing.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, spoke in Abuja during a meeting with members of the Miyetti Allah Fulaku Yeso Yeso Development Association, where he stressed the need for pastoralists to abandon constant movement in search of pasture and water.
According to the minister, rapid population increase, climate pressures and the expansion of farming activities have reduced available grazing lands, making the traditional nomadic system difficult to sustain.
He noted that many animals now suffer from poor feeding conditions due to shrinking natural grasslands, adding that settled livestock production offers better opportunities for improved breeding, pasture management and higher productivity.
Maiha revealed that the Federal Government intends to establish 417 grazing reserves across the country as part of plans to encourage ranch based livestock production and provide herders with access to water, veterinary care and adequate feed.
He explained that the ministry was already collaborating with state governments to develop the reserves and create conditions that would support peaceful relations between farmers and herders.
The minister encouraged pastoral groups to educate their members on modern livestock practices, including ranching, animal identification, pasture cultivation and improved breeding methods.
He described ranching as a controlled system of animal husbandry carried out within designated areas, saying the approach would reduce conflicts and strengthen the livestock economy.
Maiha further stated that the Ministry of Livestock Development, established by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024, was created to reform the sector through innovation, private investment and sustainable policies.
He said the ministry’s long term objective is to move livestock production into the formal economy, increase its contribution to national revenue, create employment opportunities and boost local production of meat and dairy products for domestic use and export.
Earlier, the National President of the association, Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman, represented by the group’s National General Secretary, Mr Moh’d Dodo, called for stronger government support for pastoral communities.
He appealed for the creation of the Office of Special Assistant to the President on Fulani Matters and urged the government to invest in modern grazing facilities, youth empowerment programmes and livestock value chain development.
Suleiman also advocated closer cooperation between pastoral groups and security agencies to improve conflict prevention, intelligence sharing and the protection of rural communities.
He maintained that better grazing infrastructure and structured engagement would help reduce the movement of livestock and promote peaceful coexistence nationwide.
