The Federal Ministry of Agriculture says it has commenced the rehabilitation of grazing reserves in four local government areas of Kaduna state in Nigeria’s northern region.

The acting National Coordinator of Grazing Reserve and Stock Route Development in the ministry and Chairman of the Implementation Committee in the state, Dr Ishaq Bello, informed reporters about the rehabilitation on Tuesday during a sensitisation meeting on grazing development with the Miyette Allah Cattle Breeders Association.

He said that the aim of reviving the grazing reserves was to reduce conflicts between farmers and pastoralists as well as improve the productivity of livestock.

Kaduna State Government has several grazing reserves some of which were established over 70 years ago.

Over the years, host communities where these grazing reserves are have come under deadly attacks due to frequent clashes between farmers and herdsmen.

To find a lasting solution to the increasing reports of clashes between farmers and herders, the stakeholders meeting was called.

The President of Miyette Allah Cattle Breeders Association, who spoke in Hausa Language said they were willing to work closely with the local communities to end the frequent clashes, since the grazing reserves had been gazetted by government over the years.

However, as part of effort to revive the grazing routes, the state Implementation Committee on Grazing Development, has announced that 130,000 hectares of pastures are being planted in four local government areas in the state, while 90 youths are being trained in artificial insemination and animal husbandry.

The Executive Director of the Pastoral Reserve, Dr Saleh Momale and another stakeholder, Suleiman Dan-Zaki, were optimistic that apart from addressing the frequent clashes between herdsmen and farmers, the grazing reserve would address the problem of cattle rustling and armed banditry.

Part of efforts to address the clashes is the introduction of a bill for the establishment of National Grazing Reserve and Development Commission for the preservation and control of national grazing reserves and stock routes.

The bill has passed the second reading at the Senate.

Stakeholders believe that constant meetings will help in addressing some of the problems between farmers and herdsmen. (Channels TV)

•Photo shows Audu Ogbeh.

Update news