FG urged to expand grazing reserves nationwide

Livestock and agriculture stakeholders have called on the Federal Government to fast-track the phased development of grazing reserves beyond the three pilot locations to at least one reserve in each of the six geopolitical zones. They welcomed the initiative as a step in the right direction.

The call followed the Federal Government’s commencement of a phased grazing reserve development programme, beginning with pilot sites at Wawa-Zange in Gombe State, Wase in Plateau State and Kawu in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.

The Ministry of Livestock Development had said it was working with other ministries, state governments and the private sector to ensure the reserves have “good public schools for the pastoralists, for their children to attend… access roads and… public healthcare.”

In separate phone interviews with The PUNCH, stakeholders, including the National Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Aliyu Gotomo, described the move as overdue but cautioned that the scope remained limited.

“Generally, the development of grazing reserves is the most essential thing that is required for pastoralism development. And I think it’s a welcome development that they have started. At least we have started somewhere,” Gotomo said.

He added that properly developed reserves with water, veterinary services and access roads would reduce transhumance and insecurity. “If these things are provided, the major movement from one state to the other in search of greener pastures will be reduced. So, all the conflicts from farmer-herder and other insecurity issues will also be alleviated,” he said.

However, Gotomo urged the government to expand the programme. He said, “Considering about 417 grazing reserves across the states, I think the number is very, very small. They could have started at least with one in each of the political zones,” stressing that the scale did not match “the population of livestock we have in Nigeria and the number of people engaged in pastoralism.”

He also called for deeper engagement with pastoralists, local governments and traditional rulers to ensure ownership and sustainability.

“The actual beneficiaries, the native pastoralists, should be properly engaged… The local government areas and traditional rulers should also be involved so that proper maintenance and sustainability can be adhered to,” he added.

Chairman of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Agriculture and Allied Group, Tunde Banjoko, also welcomed the initiative but echoed concerns about regional balance and transparency.

“I think the idea of phased grazing by the Federal Government is a very good initiative. I also believe it will reduce the frequent clashes we are having with farmers,” Banjoko said, adding that it would improve quality and returns for farmers and attract private investment.

He warned, however, that concentration of reserves in limited areas could create new tensions.

“Out of the 417 grazing reserves, except for two in the South-West, I’m not sure there’s any in the South-South or South-East. So, what is the alternative for them?” he asked.

Banjoko urged the government to ensure national spread: “We need to also provide more alternatives in the South-South, South-West and South-East so that we can reduce these frequent clashes in this region as well.”

He further called for openness in implementation. “People want to see the pictures; people want to see how far they have gone. If there’s enough transparency, then the private sector will come in,” he added, while stressing the need for strong regulations, stakeholder engagement and traceability systems in livestock management.

President of the Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria, Muhammadu Abubakar, said the pilot phase should serve as a model for nationwide rollout.

“The government embarking on a phased grazing reserve development is a good idea. At least the first three should serve as a model,” Abubakar said.

The CODARAN chief noted that the pilots would allow the government to test and refine the approach before scaling up.

“That is where you can experiment with the workability… Look at the downs and the ups and then make amends. Then you will have a model that you just pick and plug in other reserves,” he said.

Abubakar expressed confidence in the public-private approach, noting that challenges would become clearer as implementation progresses.

“When that takes off, we from the private sector will be involved, and then we’re likely going to point out areas that should be corrected or amended,” he added.

The stakeholders agreed that while the pilot programme marks a positive start, expanding the reserves across all zones and carrying communities along would be critical to reducing conflicts and modernising Nigeria’s livestock sector.