President Tinubu Sets Presidential Committee to Address Herder-Farmer Conflicts and Promote Livestock and Dairy Industries

The establishment of a Presidential Committee charged with the reform of the livestock industry and the provision of long-term solutions to repeated disputes between herders and farmers in the country has been given the go-ahead by President Bola Tinubu, who gave his approval for the committee’s creation.

Following the delivery of a report from the National Conference on Livestock Reforms and Mitigation of Associated Conflicts in Nigeria, on Thursday in Abuja, the President made the announcement that the Committee will be established.

Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, who had previously served as the Executive Governor of Kano State and is currently the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was the one who organized the Conference.

The President elaborated that it is anticipated that the Committee will work in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to develop suggestions with the objective of fostering a peaceful co-existence between herders and farmers while simultaneously safeguarding the safety and the economic well-being of all Nigerians.

“The Federal Government is fully prepared to fund the expense of acquiring the land,” the statement continued. The provision of new educational chances for herders and their offspring will develop as a result of these opportunities, which will provide gainful employment for our country’s veterinary doctors while also opening doors for the private sector. The construction of medical facilities is going to take place. We have an opportunity here that could completely alter the course of our lives.

“Imagine if we were able to produce enough milk for our children to drink at school. Imagine that we were able to become a net exporter of cheese and yoghurt. Imagine for a moment that we had a huge leather manufacturing sector in Nigeria and that we were producing the skin on a massive scale. Imagine if we could provide cold storage facilities and employment opportunities all around the country. The President made the statement that “these things are conceivable in front of us.”

President Tinubu praised Vice President Ganduje for bringing together the brightest minds and most knowledgeable individuals in order to find answers to the enduring problems that have been plaguing relations between pastoralists and farmers.

In addition, he complimented the members of the committee for the painstaking job they had done in examining the complicated issues connected to the management of cattle, the utilization of land, and the provision of security.

“If you pay attention, you can find a silver lining in every cloudy situation. We have been dealing with this conflict for some time now. We are aware that it is a problem of domestic origin. People have a very difficult time breaking away from the customs and routines that they have always followed.

“In 2018, I made numerous attempts to find a solution to this issue; nevertheless, I was unable to do so. But people have told me that I shouldn’t ever give up, and today I believe that the answer is right in front of us,” the President said, referring to the report of the committee, which includes a number of different suggestions.

“The continued existence of this situation is not the herders’ or the farmers’ fault. ” It is the responsibility of the leadership, who were unable to find immediate answers to tackle their difficulties, and here is where the blame lies. “He said that leadership is equal parts thinking and doing.

During his remarks, Ganduje recalled that during his tenure as Governor of Kano State, he had hosted the National Conference as part of a deliberate effort to promote the modernization of livestock production while strengthening the capacity of local authorities to manage relationships and amicably resolve conflicts between herders and farmers. This was done as part of Ganduje’s effort to promote the modernization of livestock production and strengthen the capacity of local authorities to manage relationships and amicably resolve conflicts between herders and farmers.

During his eight years in power, he pointed out that Kano has maintained its status as one of the most peaceful states in the country.

“Mr. President, the study that has been presented here today provides, in my opinion, the solution to the difficulties that have been plaguing the livestock business. It addresses the most important reforms and gives a variety of development choices that are required for the continued and sustainable growth of the sector.

The Convener made the following observation: “The adoption of the suggestions will aid in reducing the cost of importation for animal products like milk and beef. It will also boost productivity, which will benefit livelihoods; it will promote environmental conservation; it will address substantial causes of disputes between farmers and pastoralists; and it will address substantial sources of conflicts between farmers and pastoralists.”