The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has called for better management of livestock movement in Nigeria as a solution to the persistent clashes between farmers and herders.
Speaking to the press ahead of the Maiden African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit, set for Abuja from August 25 to 27, Musa highlighted the importance of creating designated areas for animal husbandry, particularly through ranching.
According to the CDS, the traditional practice of farmers and herders coexisting peacefully has diminished over time. He recalled a time when if an animal strayed onto a farm, it was usually detained, and the owner would pay a fine to reclaim it.
This system, Musa suggested, was an effective way to resolve conflicts. However, he stressed that this approach has become less viable as the dynamics between the two groups have shifted.
To reduce these tensions and improve the livelihoods of herders, Musa advocated for the establishment of ranches.
He noted that keeping animals in a controlled environment would not only prevent them from wandering into farmland but would also be more beneficial for the animals.
Citing the advantages of ranching, he explained that animals would grow healthier, produce more milk, and be more productive overall.
The CDS also pushed back against criticisms suggesting that his support for ranching implied the government should seize land from farmers.
He clarified that his advocacy for ranching was not about displacing farmers but rather about encouraging private investments and government support in creating sustainable grazing areas.
Musa emphasized that ranching should be viewed as a business opportunity and called on state governments to explore setting up model ranch farms in their regions to inspire wider adoption.
