Establishing livestock ministry solution to farmer-herder crises – Yobe commissioner

The Yobe State Commissioner for the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ali Mustapha Goniri, shared his thoughts with Juwe Oluwafemi on the Presidential Committee’s proposal to establish the Ministry of Livestock Production. The agronomist also proffers solutions to the lingering farmer-herder crises

The Presidential Livestock Reform Committee has proposed both open grazing and ranching as viable solutions to the ongoing farmer-herder crisis in Nigeria. What are your thoughts on this?

The committee’s recommendations are both appropriate and well-intentioned. This is the only way we can live peacefully in Nigeria. It’s the sole solution for ensuring peace.

We must provide equal rights to both farmers and herders. The most crucial aspect is the provision of security for life and property. The security of people, animals, and farmlands is paramount, and the government must ensure this to foster peaceful coexistence.
We should allow for open grazing in designated areas. Herders should be permitted to graze their animals in such areas. Those who can afford it, like myself, who is a farmer engaged in ranching with many cattle—should opt for ranching. Those who can’t afford ranching should be allowed to practice open grazing. Many of us, especially elites, are involved in ranching and can afford it.

Are you comfortable with the committee’s proposal to implement both open grazing and ranching simultaneously?

Yes! This is the only solution to the farmer-herder crisis. If everyone is given equal rights to farm or rear their animals, we will continue to live in peace and enjoy peaceful coexistence.
The Fulani nomads are citizens of this country and should be allowed to rear their animals anywhere in Nigeria, as provided in the constitution. They can go to Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, or any other place, provided they do not disturb the peaceful coexistence of the people in those areas. They should be allowed to move freely without hindrance or intimidation. However, if they disturb the peace in places they go to, they should not be allowed.

Has there been a farmer-herder crisis in the past and what methods did the state government adopt to manage it?

The establishment of ranching and grazing reserves has been a strategy that the Yobe State government has adopted for many years to address the crisis between farmers and herders. This approach has been successful, especially with the establishment of three grazing reserves, one in each senatorial zone.

The state government’s partnership with the Federal Government on an N12.8bn joint project for the establishment of grazing reserves has significantly reduced the crisis. Minor cases can now be managed as they arise.

The Nasari grazing reserve project is located in Jakusko, in northern Yobe, Gurjage in Fika in southern Yobe, and Badegana in Bursari Local Government Area in eastern Yobe. These reserves are designed to accommodate the Fulani and include facilities such as schools, boreholes, hospitals, and laboratories for the benefit of the herders. They are provided with essential services like water, healthcare, education for their children, and places for selling meat and milk. All necessary amenities found in urban settings are provided within the reserves.

What is the commitment of the Federal Government to this project?

The Federal Government is contributing 50 per cent of the total cost in addition to providing the land. The project aims to boost agriculture and reduce farmer-herder clashes and is designed to be implemented in three phases, starting with the first grazing site in Yobe North, followed by sites in Yobe East and Yobe South.
The state government is also making efforts to hand over the Nasari grazing reserve to the communities in Jakusko LGA for management. After this, the focus will shift to completing the Badegana reserve in Bursari LGA and the Gurjage reserve in Fika LGA to ensure peaceful coexistence.

Considering the need for both cattle ranches and grazing lands, does Yobe State have sufficient land to support such proposals?

Yes, we have enough land to accommodate these projects. There are minimal complaints regarding the farmer-herder crisis these days, and any challenges that arise are manageable. In Yobe, we have successfully provided solutions to the farmer-herder crisis.
The report also recommends the establishment of a Federal Ministry of Livestock Development with detailed guidelines for its creation. What is the current situation regarding this?

This is a welcome development for us in Yobe State. We previously had a Ministry of Livestock. We are the largest producer of livestock in sub-Saharan Africa, producing over a million heads of cattle annually. If the Federal Government establishes the Ministry of Livestock, it will be a significant step forward for us. We had a Ministry of Animals and Fisheries before it was merged with the Ministry of Agriculture, which boosted the morale of our livestock farmers.

The establishment of the Ministry of Livestock is a positive development for us in Yobe State. We are certainly going to make efforts toward reestablishing it here. If the Federal Government establishes the Ministry of Livestock Development, we will critically evaluate it alongside the Ministry of Agriculture, focusing on crop production while the Ministry of Livestock concentrates on livestock production.

Reestablishing the Ministry of Livestock Development aligns with the recommendations of the presidential committee. This will provide an avenue for the development of livestock in Yobe State, increasing our livelihood through meat and milk production and improving the value chain. We are also working toward establishing a modern abattoir in Yobe State.
We want to collaborate with the Saudi Government for the procurement of meat from Yobe, leveraging the opportunities God has provided us with in cattle and small ruminant production.

Irrigation farming is another potential area that equally provides for crop production. How will your ministry harness crop production under irrigation farming?

The Yobe State government, in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank of Saudi Arabia, is entering a multi-billion dollar partnership to launch the Lava Irrigation Scheme. This initiative aims to boost the production of wheat, rice, and various vegetables in the state.

The bank plans to invest $120bn in the project to enhance food and cash crop production in Yobe State. The governor is highly interested in this venture and has already committed substantial funds to the project.

In addition to the Lava Irrigation Scheme, the state government plans to acquire 5,000 hectares of farmland to commence additional irrigation farming activities immediately.

The Lava Irrigation Scheme covers 2,000 hectares, and the government is making efforts to procure heavy agricultural machinery for land clearing, including bulldozers. Advertisements for the supply of these implements have already been issued.

We are also going to procure solar water pumps and other equipment for drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. The Lava irrigation farming project is expected to commence from now until December this year. The state government has shown a strong commitment to agricultural activities, investing heavily in various agricultural programmes. Inputs worth N15bn have been distributed to farmers across the state.
To reciprocate the govt’s huge investment in agriculture, people should show commitment to contributing their part in the state’s growth. Do you agree with this opinion?

The state government’s efforts to develop agriculture for food and cash crop production, as well as fisheries and poultry production, will only succeed with the full support of the people. It is essential for citizens to actively engage in agricultural practices to achieve self-reliance. Yobe State is endowed with vast, fertile land and the necessary manpower to drive agricultural development.

I urge everyone to support the administration and participate in agriculture. The government is dedicated to providing the necessary assistance to farmers and farming communities in the state.

We welcome investors in crop production to come and invest in Yobe State, which offers ample land suitable for cultivating cash and food crops such as gum Arabic, sesame, and livestock production. Let’s work together to ensure that the state remains peaceful and to enhance security.

In addition to the irrigation farming initiative, the state government is focusing on poultry farming to complement these efforts ahead of the rainy season next year. Following the October-November period, the government plans to further develop the irrigation scheme to improve the livelihoods of the people in Yobe State.

Recently, the state government launched a multi-billion naira initiative to distribute agricultural implements to farming communities, thus, shifting immediate focus to irrigation farming activities from now until December this year.