FG to Rehabilitate 417 Grazing Reserves Nationwide

The Nigerian government, under the leadership of Minister of Livestock Development Idi Mukhtar Maiha, announced plans to rehabilitate 417 grazing reserves across the country. This initiative was disclosed on Tuesday after a briefing with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Priority areas identified include Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Adamawa, and the Federal Capital Territory, due to their history of farmers-herders conflicts. A pilot scheme has already commenced in Plateau State to test a new livestock production model aimed at reducing cattle movement.

The ministry is consulting with pastoral communities and approximately 34 organizations to facilitate a transition from nomadic livestock production to ranching. Maiha emphasized the unsustainability of nomadic practices due to the loss of grazing routes and outlined plans for commercial pasture cultivation and breed improvement.

The government aims to establish economic communities within grazing reserves, complete with essential services and infrastructure. Additionally, plans include introducing radio-frequency identification tags for livestock and building model veterinary clinics across states.