FG Launches Livestock Strategy to End Benue Clashes

The Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced a livestock development strategy to address ongoing farmer-herder clashes in Benue State. Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, announced the initiative during the inauguration of the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation.

This five-year strategic plan, running from 2026 to 2030, aims to transform the agricultural sector and enhance economic potential by modernizing livestock production and reducing the pressures of open grazing. The plan includes reviving dormant facilities through a public-private partnership model, which encompasses ranches, pig progeny centers, and poultry demonstration centers.

Governor Hyacinth Alia and Deputy Governor Sam Od described the strategy as a significant step toward sustainable peace and development. The SPRING Programme, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), emphasizes that lasting peace relies on strong institutions capable of resolving grievances that escalate into conflicts.