Farmers/herdsmen clashes: Govt plans grazing reserves

In from Ali Smart . . .
In order to forestall incessant herdsmen/farmers clashes in the country, the House of Representatives on Thursday mandated the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to establish cattle rearing settlements.
The settlements are expected to be equipped with modern infrastructure such as grazing reserves, residential accommodation, health and educational infrastructure, the lawmakers said.
According to the Green Chamber, this action will help bring traditional cattle rearing practice in Nigeria in conformity with modern practices and reduce incidences of clashes between farmers and cattle rearers.
The Reps’ decision was sequel to a motion brought before the House by a member Hon. Wale Raji.
The lawmaker while moving the motion on the urgent need to address the incessant clashes between herdsmen, farmers and their host communities in Nigeria said the country has recorded several incidents of serious devastating clashes amongst herdsmen, farmers and their host communities over the years in which many lives were lost and properties destroyed.
Raji noted that the development has assumed “a very dangerous dimension with the recent invasion of the farmland of Chief Olu Falae resulting in the Yoruba Council of Elders condemning the development in strong terms with pronouncements capable of threatening the peace and unity of the country.”

Read also: Fulani herdsmen: Yoruba draw battle line

He said the prevailing precarious security situation in the country could be further worsened by the increasing frequency of these clashes if not addressed urgently.
According to the lawmaker, factors like urbanisation, growth in population, deforestation amongst others are responsible for the heavy depletion of customary grazing land, nomadic paths and the resultant negative consequences of reduced livestock population, increased difficulty of herding, seasonal migration.
These, he said, have caused the strain in the relationship between the herdsmen, farmers and host communities.
He said it is imperative to have cattle rearing settlements equipped with grazing reserves, residential accommodation, health and educational infrastructure established in order to bring cattle rearing in Nigeria at par with modern practices
The motion was unanimously passed when the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara called for a voice vote.

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