System Of Ranching Compatible Or Not Compatible In Nigeria -By Sadiq Yakubu Gombi

In this article I would like to explore why and how does the system of ranching proposed recently by the national assembly will help bring lasting solution to the long decade farmers herders clash in Nigeria, and how does the new will yield a desire result in boosting the economy of Nigeria.

Before going further I would like to make mention the two types of Fulani herders we have in this country, usually for people like me who was born and grown up from northern part of Nigeria, we knew only the “Nomadic Fulani’s” and the ‘’Sedentary Fulani’s’’. the nomads are the ones who moves with their animals from place to place or area.

The issue of farmers herders clash in Nigeria trace its roots back to colonial era, and often during the harvest season in which the crisis claimed hundreds and thousands of lives, hence the need to rigid the system.

Although, some years back a lots of state governors attempts to banned open grazing in their states especially in southern parts of the country the laws that hardly think will help neither those states nor the pastoralist. Because a typical Fulani is known moving with his cow from one place to another therefore this kind of laws will only create a hostile environment among many citizens.

Recall, in 2019 former president Muhammadu Buhari has made an attempts to pass the bill for the establishmentof ‘’Ruga Settlements’’

In order to mitigate the impacts of crisis between farmer and herder but the opposition and pressure that emanated from various quotas of this country forced him to withdrew the bill.

WHY SYSTEM OF RANCHING COMPATIBLE AND WHERE THE GOVERNMENT MISSED IT.

First foremost in 21st century I believe that if we can do justice for ourselves or if we can seat back and think we would realise without any iota of doubt that the system of ranching will help in boosting the economy of Nigeria and it is the best system of rearing in this modern world, and can be able to reduce crisis that used to occurred seasonally between farmers and herders.

But how can we do that first there is a pressing need for government to provide foods, build schools, clinics, and all other forms of social amenities that are sustainable. And also there is a need for government to educate and sensitise those people before going ahead to implements the policy of ranching. if not I doubt if the system will last  long.

Another fundamental reason why system of ranching is necessary is the issue of climate change, the issue of climate change such as low rainfall, high temperature, among many other reasons posed a significant challenges in producing ample meat, milk and even impedes animals growth.

It’s against this backdrop some experts opined that system of ranching would help in providing available milk from cows four times more than a system of moving from one place to another and a very typical example of that is ‘’Bostwana’’ they’ve adopted the system long ago and is yielding a positive result in reforming the economy of their country.

Nevertheless we can say thank God, the federal government of Nigeria recently are trying to create a ministry of livestock and development which if they’ve finally establish will help in leveraging the new system of ranching significantly. 

Lastly, I strongly believe that if Nigerian government will put such measures in place now or in the nearest future Nigeria will compete with top countries in the world that adopts the system of ranching countries such as Australlia, Newzeland, as well as Brazil.

Sadiq Yakubu Gombi, is a 300 level student of Mass Communication Federal University of Kashere.