By Hamilton Nwosa(Head, The New Diplomat’s Polling, Research & Data desk)
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), in the Southeast, has suggested ways to stop clashes between farmers and herders nationwide.
Speaking with reporters on Saturday in Awka, Anambra State, the Chairman of the Association in the Southeast, Alhaji Gidado Sidikki, said government should train its members in modern ways of cattle husbandry, noting that about 89 percent of herders had no such knowledge.
The Miyetti Allah leader was reacting to the call by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), for the country to transit into modern systems of animal husbandry to replace open, night and underage grazing in the country.
According to Siddiki, “the governors’ position is a welcome development, but for the policy to work as expected, there must be “ training and re-training of Fulani herdsmen on mechanized grazing, provision of land for ranching in the 36 states of the federation and the FCT and a continuous Town Hall meetings among government, farmers and the herders in the affected areas.”
He noted that the National leadership of MACBAN, had banned night grazing, four years ago.
He, however, commended the Southeast governors for their continued support for the association in the zone.
He urged farmers and host communities where his people were residing to always report any disagreement to security or other relevant authorities for prompt action to avoid the destruction of lives and property.
