Plateau’s 14-man committee recommends cattle ranching

The 14-man committee set up by Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong to examine the gains and implications of establishing grazing ranches yesterday urged the state government to adopt the policy as proposed by the Federal Government in view of its economic benefits in livestock development.

The 14-member committee made its re c o m m e n d a t i o n s known during a stakeholder’s dialogue organised by the Plateau State Peace Building Conflict Resolution Bureau and Propeace international organisation, Search for Common Ground. It also urged the state government immediately commence massive education and sensitization of people on the benefits of the policy.

Professor Garba Sharubutu, the provost, College of Animal Science and Technology who briefed the gathering on the committee’s findings and recommendations, however stressed that government must study the ranching programme with a view to domesticating it based on the peculiarities of Plateau State.

“Ranching the way it is practised in Borno may not be as it will be practiced in Sokoto or another state,” he said.

Sharubutu, who is also the President, Veterinary Council of Nigeria, said, “Based on our discussions with the Minister of Agriculture, the cattle ranching will be community-based and no one should see cattle rearing as the exclusive reserve of any tribe.”

The committee urged Lalong to make sure that cattle markets are established in each of the zones of the state to enable easy marketing of the animals.

Earlier, Governor Simon Lalong urged the commentators to look at the issues dispassionately, adding that population, drought and urbanisation had made the concept of grazing reserve and grazing routes redundant.

Lalong, represented by his deputy, Prof. Sonny Tyoden, said, “These ranches are not being created for any particular tribe. They are for the members of the community.