Even In The North Where Herders Belong, They Don’t Have Lands. They Don’t Care About Land – MACBAN

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has urged governors to establish grazing reserves that were designated for herders in the 1960s to address the ongoing farmer-herder crisis.

MACBAN President, Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, said that preserving and protecting grazing reserves, particularly in the 19 northern states, would help resolve the issue.

According to the report by Channels Television on Wednesday, Othman-Ngelzarma stressed the potential of the livestock sector to boost Nigeria’s economy.

He noted that the end value chain benefits of cows raised in the northern region are enjoyed by the southern part of the country.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, the MACBAN boss clarified that herders are not interested in land grabbing but rather settlements.

He explained that herders don’t care about land and prefer to stay in forests, moving further into the forests when development reaches them there.

He said, “Talking about land grabbing, even in the northern part of the country where the pastoralists belong, they don’t have lands. They don’t care about land. They stay in the forests (and) when development reaches them, they move further into the forest.”

Regarding the newly created ministry for livestock development, Othman-Ngelzarma expressed hope that it could lead to a solution if managed by the right professionals.

He emphasized the need for a settlement model that would stop the roaming of herders, as the growing population and limited land require effective planning.

He said, “If the right people are put to manage the activities of that ministry, if good representatives, professionals, are put there……See_More