Federal Government Names 5 States, FCT for National Ranching Policy Pilot

Federal Government Names 5 States, FCT for National Ranching Policy Pilot

Federal Government Names 5 States, FCT for Ranching Policy Pilot

 The Federal Government has selected Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Adamawa and the FCT for the pilot phase of Nigeria’s National Ranching Policy.

Federal Government Selects Five States, FCT for National Ranching Policy Pilot

The Federal Government has selected five states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for the pilot implementation of Nigeria’s National Ranching Policy as part of efforts to modernise livestock production and address persistent farmer-herder conflicts across the country.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, disclosed the development after briefing President Bola Tinubu on the activities and progress of his ministry at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday.

The selected locations are Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Adamawa states, alongside the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the minister, the locations were chosen because they have experienced some of the country’s most significant farmer-herder tensions in recent years.

The ranching initiative is expected to gradually move Nigeria away from traditional nomadic cattle movement towards a more organised livestock production system in which cattle are raised in designated locations with access to pasture, water, veterinary services and other essential infrastructure.

Wase Grazing Reserve to Serve as Proof of Concept

Maiha disclosed that the pilot programme would begin at the Wase Grazing Reserve in Plateau State, which will serve as a proof of concept for the Federal Government's proposed ranching model.

The government intends to use the project to demonstrate how modern ranching can improve livestock productivity while reducing the conflicts associated with open grazing and long-distance cattle movement.

The minister explained that the movement of large numbers of cattle across communities has increasingly become difficult because many traditional grazing routes have disappeared as a result of farming activities, urbanisation and infrastructure development.

He said the old system of nomadic livestock production was no longer sustainable under Nigeria's current circumstances.

«“Nomadism, as we know it, is no longer sustainable and we need a different concept.”»

The proposed ranching model will therefore encourage livestock owners to keep their animals within designated areas where food, water, healthcare and other services can be provided more efficiently.

Why the Federal Government Is Promoting Ranching

Farmer-herder conflicts have remained a major challenge in several parts of Nigeria, with disputes frequently linked to access to land and water, destruction of crops, cattle movement and competition over natural resources.

The Federal Government believes a transition from unrestricted cattle movement to managed ranching could reduce some of these pressures.

Maiha explained that the disappearance of traditional grazing routes has made long-distance cattle movement increasingly problematic.

Rather than moving cattle across large distances in search of pasture and water, the government wants livestock producers to develop pasture where the animals are kept.

The minister described the concept simply as growing grass at the location where cattle are raised instead of constantly moving animals to find available vegetation.

He noted that modern varieties of pasture grasses can provide the nutritional requirements needed for livestock production.

This approach could also increase productivity by allowing cattle owners to adopt improved feeding, breeding, veterinary and management practices.

Ranching Communities to Receive Housing, Healthcare and Water

The Federal Government's proposed ranching programme is not limited to the provision of grazing land.

According to Maiha, designated ranching communities are expected to receive a range of social and economic infrastructure designed to make the locations sustainable for livestock owners and their families.

Planned facilities include:

- Housing for ranching communities

- Veterinary clinics

- Primary healthcare centres

- Schools

- Solar-powered lighting

- Water infrastructure

- Livestock production facilities

- Modern abattoirs

- Milk collection and processing facilities

The government believes the development of these facilities will transform selected grazing reserves into economically productive communities.

Rather than functioning simply as places where cattle are kept, the reserves are expected to become livestock-focused economic hubs capable of attracting private-sector investment.

Livestock Hubs Could Attract Major Investments

One of the major objectives of the ranching policy is to develop a complete livestock value chain around ranching communities.

Maiha said large concentrations of cattle could create opportunities for milk processors, modular abattoirs, bio-digesters and other businesses involved in livestock production.

The minister highlighted the economic opportunities that could emerge from having thousands of cattle concentrated within an organised production environment.

A large cattle population in one location could provide a reliable supply of milk and meat for processors while also creating demand for animal feed, veterinary services, transportation, cold storage, leather processing and other related businesses.

This could help Nigeria move from largely traditional livestock production towards a more commercially driven livestock economy.

The development of local milk production could also support the country's dairy industry by providing processors with a more consistent supply of raw materials.

Government Engages Pastoralist Organisations

The Federal Government is also seeking the participation of pastoralists and livestock owners in the implementation of the ranching policy.

Maiha said the ministry had already engaged more than 34 pastoral organisations as part of efforts to build understanding and support for the programme.

The minister said another meeting with pastoralist representatives was expected within two weeks.

He also disclosed that the ministry recently held discussions with pastoralist leaders under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III.

The consultations are intended to ensure that the concerns and interests of livestock owners are considered as the government develops and implements the new system.

Stakeholder engagement is particularly important because ranching represents a significant change from traditional livestock management practices used by many pastoral communities.

Nationwide Livestock Identification Programme

In addition to ranch development, the Federal Government is implementing a nationwide livestock identification programme using radio frequency technology.

Maiha said four-legged livestock would be tagged to enable authorities to establish ownership and track animals.

The identification system is expected to provide information about livestock location and ownership while helping authorities respond more effectively to cattle theft and animal loss.

According to the minister, the programme will help address cattle rustling, facilitate the recovery of missing animals and create a comprehensive national livestock database.

A reliable livestock identification system could also improve disease surveillance and make it easier for veterinary authorities to monitor animal health.

Seven Model Veterinary Clinics Established

The Ministry of Livestock Development is also expanding veterinary infrastructure across the country.

Maiha disclosed that seven model veterinary clinics had already been established, while the government plans to provide at least one model veterinary hospital in every state.

Veterinary services are considered essential to the success of a modern ranching system because healthy animals are more productive and less vulnerable to diseases.

The government is also strengthening vaccine storage facilities to improve the availability and distribution of livestock vaccines.

Better veterinary infrastructure could support the development of Nigeria's dairy, beef and poultry industries while improving animal health standards.

Government Targets Dairy, Red Meat and Poultry Value Chains

The National Ranching Policy forms part of a broader livestock development strategy.

According to the minister, the government is promoting several areas of livestock production, including:

- Dairy development

- Commercial fodder cultivation

- Red meat production

- Modern abattoirs

- Veterinary services

- Poultry production

- Livestock identification

- Animal health and vaccination

- Processing and value addition

The strategy is aimed at developing livestock as a major contributor to Nigeria's agricultural economy.

The government also wants more investment to move into processing and value addition instead of relying primarily on the sale of live animals.

About 20 States Establish Livestock Ministries or Agencies

Maiha said about 20 states had established livestock ministries or agencies, describing the development as an indication of increasing acceptance of the Federal Government's livestock development agenda.

The establishment of dedicated livestock institutions at the state level could help improve coordination between federal and state governments in implementing ranching and other livestock-related programmes.

It could also allow states to develop policies and programmes suited to their particular livestock production environments.

Tinubu Backs Livestock Sector Transformation

The minister commended President Bola Tinubu for his support for the livestock sector and the government's efforts to transform the industry.

Maiha quoted the President as describing the livestock value chain as offering significant opportunities for Nigerians.

The Federal Government's strategy is therefore focused not only on reducing farmer-herder conflicts but also on unlocking the economic potential of livestock production.

If successfully implemented, the ranching programme could create opportunities across farming, animal feed production, dairy processing, meat processing, veterinary medicine, transportation, cold-chain logistics and other sectors.

What the National Ranching Policy Could Mean for Nigeria

The proposed ranching model represents a major shift in how livestock production is organised in Nigeria.

For pastoralists, the policy could provide more predictable access to water, pasture, veterinary services and other facilities.

For farmers, reducing the movement of large herds across cultivated farmland could help reduce crop destruction and disputes over land.

For the government, organised ranching could make livestock easier to identify, monitor and provide with veterinary services.

For investors, concentrated livestock production could create opportunities for large-scale processing and other businesses within the value chain.

However, the success of the programme will depend heavily on effective implementation, adequate funding, stakeholder cooperation, land availability and the ability of authorities to maintain the infrastructure provided.

The government's decision to begin with a pilot project at Wase Grazing Reserve provides an opportunity to test the model before expanding it to other locations.

FAQ... About Nigeria's National Ranching Policy

What is Nigeria's National Ranching Policy?

Nigeria's National Ranching Policy is a government initiative designed to promote organised livestock production by encouraging cattle owners to rear animals in designated locations rather than relying on long-distance nomadic movement.

Which states were selected for the ranching policy pilot?

The selected states are Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Adamawa, alongside the Federal Capital Territory.

Where will the ranching pilot begin?

The pilot programme is expected to begin at the Wase Grazing Reserve in Plateau State.

Why is the government introducing ranching?

The government says traditional nomadic cattle movement has become increasingly difficult because grazing routes have disappeared due to farming, urbanisation and infrastructure development. Ranching is also intended to help reduce farmer-herder conflicts and improve livestock productivity.

What facilities will be provided in ranching communities?

The government plans to provide infrastructure including housing, schools, primary healthcare centres, veterinary clinics, water facilities and solar lighting.

Will ranching create economic opportunities?

The government expects ranching communities to attract businesses such as milk processors, modular abattoirs, bio-digesters and other livestock-related enterprises.

What is the livestock identification programme?

It is a nationwide programme that uses radio frequency technology to tag livestock, allowing authorities to identify animals, establish ownership and track their locations.

How will livestock identification help combat cattle rustling?

Tagged animals can be more easily identified and linked to their owners, potentially making it easier to recover stolen or missing livestock and establish ownership.

How many model veterinary clinics have been established?

The Minister of Livestock Development said seven model veterinary clinics had been established, with plans for at least one model veterinary hospital in every state.

Will the ranching policy end nomadic cattle movement?

The government's stated objective is to encourage livestock owners to adopt more settled and organised production systems rather than relying on long-distance nomadic movement.

Nigeria's National Ranching Policy is emerging as one of the Federal Government's major strategies for transforming the livestock sector and addressing the long-running farmer-herder crisis.

With Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Adamawa and the FCT selected for the pilot phase, the government is preparing to test a model that combines ranching with healthcare, education, water supply, veterinary services and commercial livestock processing.

The success of the initiative will ultimately depend on effective implementation, adequate infrastructure and sustained cooperation between government authorities, farmers, pastoralists, traditional institutions and private investors.

If the model succeeds, the Federal Government hopes it can be expanded nationwide and help turn Nigeria's livestock industry into a more productive, modern and commercially viable sector while reducing conflicts associated with open grazing.

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