The national leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) says Nigerian pastoralists are practicing a primitive system which is no longer sustainable.
In a statement signed by the General Secretary, Baba Othman Ngelzarma on Sunday, Miyetti Allah, they also said the system is no longer sustainable but has not received any attempt by past administrations to modernise it and that northern governors must open talks right away with their southern counterparts.
He noted that the organization is not opposed to settlement of pastoralists nationwide and called for a proper arrangement that addresses the concerns of farmers and herders.Ngelzarma regretted there was “no attempt” by past administrations to modernise the animal husbandry practices in Nigeria.
“The herders are bonafide citizens whose rights and privileges deserve protection…the position of Southern Governors must NOT be ignored,” Ngelzarma declared.
“The Northern Governors must open discussion with their southern counterparts on the matter in order to come up with an acceptable position for both farmers and herders.”
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MACBAN urged the federal government to come up with a plan to address Nigeria’s unity and assist Northern States to establish modern settlements (ranch).
“The National assembly must legislate on the matter to bring an end to the problem. There are about 400 grazing reserves in the North that covers an area of about 5 million hectares.”
MACBAN wants state governments to consider the provision of water and grass in those reserves to make them attractive to herders as an interim measure.
Ngelzarma appealed to Southern Governors to consider the plights of the pastoralists in their anti open grazing policy.
He said some of the herders were born and raised in the South and appealed for caution to avoid worsening the country’s security situation.
