Senate moves to create Cattle Ranch Commission to tackle farmers-herders clashes

The Senate is considering a bill to establish a Cattle Ranch Commission as part of efforts to address recurring farmers-herders clashes and improve Nigeria’s livestock sector.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Saliu Mustapha, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at a two-day seminar on sustainable dairy and protein development titled *“Feeding the Future: Nordic Expertise Meets Nigeria’s Livestock Ambition.”*

Mustapha said the committee has written to the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the National Security Council, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and other stakeholders to seek input on the proposed legislation.

Represented at the event by the Clerk of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Hajia Habiba Mohammed, he said conflicts between farmers and herders continue to hinder growth in the livestock and dairy sector.

The lawmaker acknowledged steps taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the challenge, including the recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture and the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development.

He said the proposed commission would encourage the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to invest in ranching, reduce insecurity and improve productivity.

Mustapha said many local investors remain hesitant to invest in livestock farming due to security concerns linked to farmers-herders clashes. He added that the National Assembly remains committed to providing adequate funding for the Ministries of Agriculture and Livestock Development and related agencies to support food sufficiency.

In a keynote address, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said Nigeria’s approach to developing its protein systems across livestock, fisheries and crops would affect the country’s health and economic prospects.

Represented by the Director of Nutrition and Food Safety, Nuhu Kilishi, the minister said Nigeria has strong agricultural potential but still falls short in protein production, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Kyari urged stakeholders to propose practical measures to strengthen livestock value chains, improve regulation and attract investment in processing, storage and capacity building across dairy, fisheries and crop production.

Earlier, Olufunke Rekiya Hassan said the livestock and dairy sector remains underdeveloped despite Nigeria’s land resources and growing demand for food. She said the country spends large sums each year importing dairy and protein products that could be produced locally.