Stakeholders in the Nigerian livestock production sector have called on the Federal Government to tread with caution over the proposed establishment of cattle ranches in the 774 local government areas in the country.

The stakeholders posited that the move may trigger fresh crisis which can further worsen the numerous challenges being faced by the Nigerian livestock sector.

They are of the opinion that livestock farmers who are mostly from some particular ethnic groups may not find it easy to own land in areas outside their home state, which could spark off controversy, which government is trying to address.

Recall that recently, the National Agricultural Mechanisation Cooperative of Nigeria (NAMCON) said it was planning to establish cattle ranches across the local councils. The move is part of sustained efforts to modernise livestock production in the country and bolster value-addition.

National President of NAMCON, Dr. Aliyu Waziri, who disclosed this in Kaduna, said the ranches would be provided with adequate animal feeds, mega dams and an array of features of world-class equipment.

He added that they would also be provided with clinics, western and Islamic schools and other necessary infrastructure.

?These ranches will be fully equipped for both rainy and dry season farming activities for the sustained production of food. This is crucial to boosting food security in the country, jobs creation, poverty eradication and jerking off Nigeria?s foreign reserves.?

He added that the ranches would also have plantations of various economic trees such as mango, guava and cashew, among others, adding that the gesture would also greatly help in combating the recurring herder-farmer clashes in the country.

In his reaction, the Executive Director, Agricultural Management and Rural Training Institute (ARMTI), Ilorin, Kwara State, Dr. Femi Oladunni, expressed optimism that the initiative is visible if all the stakeholders in the local councils agree to have it, and however, raised caution that it may be difficult for land owners in those areas to release their land to livestock farmers.

He said: ?Though lands belong to the state governments, but land ownership in Nigeria is still very controversial. The question is ? are the landowners ready to release their land to the livestock farmers who are not citizens of their area? Remember ranch is capital intensive. Ranch owners can only attract investment if m are title holders.

?Livestock farmers who are mostly from one ethnic group may not find it easy to own land in areas outside their home states.

?Now that there?s a whole Ministry for Livestock, then we can be more serious with it. The first step has been taken through the creation of the Ministry. The next step is Advocacy. All relevant stakeholders especially the state governments must agree to the establishment of ranches and be shareholders as a business.?

Dr. Oladunni noted that the main crisis in sector is the herders-farmers clash, adding that the establishment of the ranches will reduce this, ?however, ranch establishment should be more of creating business opportunities along the livestock value chain with possibilities of employment generation in the economy. It will lead to increased income, reduction in poverty and improved standard of living.?

On his part, the Executive Chairman, Ajogbe Holdings, Mr. Bosoye Olalere, who operates hectares of plantations in Osun State, said the initiative said proper researches are needed to be done before embarking on the plan to avert wasted efforts and resources.

?It doesn?t sound like a good business proposal, because there are several local councils that are ill-suited for the specific needs of a ranch.

?If they can set up ranches in a quarter of the 774 local councils, based on proven business feasibility, they?d possibly achieve more in creating a sustainable beef cattle business,? he said. (Nigerian Tribune)

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