Plateau state government is set to adopt ranching method of livestock as against open grazing method that had existed. MUHAMMAD TANKO SHITTU writes on the expectation from the state assembly where the legal framework is being fine-tuned.
The federal government pilot programme on modern trend of livestock production and ranching method is set to commence in four states.
Therefore, Plateau State Executive Council (SEC) has in a meeting, approved a bill for the establishment of the State Livestock Transformation (PSLT).
The bill, if passed by the state assembly and subsequently assented to by Governor Simon Lalong, by implications a law domesticating the ranching method of livestock production would surely qualify the state to have a share out of the €400 million, grants from the Dutche Government in support of the pilot programme in the country.
The ranching method
Plateau is one of the states that have had long battle with the consequences of herders/farmers clashes associated with land usage.
However, from the inception of the current administration led by Laling, the situation has been successfully managaged to a relative peace, while means of attaining lasting solution is exploited at all levels.
One of such means is the acceptance of the state government to the idea of the federal government, National Livestock Transformation Programme(NLTP), which encompasses ranching, among other methods.
To formally put in motion its consent to the idea, the state government in a statement said that, “We are set to domesticate the National Livestock Transformation Programme by approving a bill for the establishment of the Plateau State Livestock Transformation which when passed into law would promote livestock business anchored on ranching.”
According to Dr Makut Macham, director of press and public affairs to Governor Lalong, the final decision was reached at the SEC weekly meeting of Wednesday, 3rd March, 2021 for a transmission of the bill to the state House of Assembly for consideration.
The approval finally came to life after the government battled with series of rejections mainly from the opposition politicians who were against the idea years back.
Lalong’s stand
It was the conviction of Governor Lalong that the ranching method of livestock is in the best interest of all people of state; not only that, he said it would also bring about an end to the crises of cattle rustling, destruction of farm produce, killings and counter- killings among herders and farmers. This method he noted is an opportunity for job provision and wealth creation to all citizens, besides promoting peace and security.
Having this in mind, he tried as much as possible to educate Plateau people, considering their perception over the programme, noting that it is not meant for only one ethnic group to grabs land which is why he rejected Rural Grazing Area (RUGA), an intiative he said was a strange concept to him as it brewed misconception.
He said, “I was one of the first governors to kick against the RUGA programmme when it was introduced. To start with, the concept was literally sneaked in for reasons we did not understand,” he said. “For me as governor of Plateau state, I just heared that they have erected signposts in some sites within some local governments.”
Lalong has all of times been doing this to put down the fears of his people so that they could see reasons that could make them accept the ranching method, under the National Livestock Transfirmation Programme (NLTP), which he was of the believe would include farmers, herders and other people involved in processing of meat and packaging.
“There is also a provision for other animals such as sheeps, goats, pigs, and others,” he added.
Envisaged benefits
According to the statement by Dr Makut, the state commissioner for information and communications, Dan Manjang, had informed journalists that one benefits of the bill is to facilitate smooth transition from open grazing to ranching.
“The state has been working assiduously to put in place all necessary requirements for the take off of the model ranching programme at the Wase and Kanam Reserves which are wholly owned by the state government,” Manjang said.
He added that, “Already, local and international investors have shown interest in putting their money in the pilot phase of the livestock transformation program.”
Similarly, the secretary of State Livestock Implementation Committee Prof John Wade, said the programme has zero land grabbing as nobody’s land would be appropriated for ranching.
“The government would put into use its gazetted reserves in Wase and Kanam for the take off and thereafter, anyone who wants to go into ranching would follow the guidelines provided by the law,” Wade said.
He said the state is approaching ranching strictly as a business, hence the directive by the governor for robust sensitisation to enable more citizens key into modern livestock business. Prof Wade added that the notion that one ethnic group has a monopoly of the business is incorrect and such must be discountenanced in the new development.
“The ranching policy would also accommodate other species of livestock aside from cows to bring in more diversification of agriculture sector,” he stressed.
Likewise, the state commissioner for justice and Attorney General, Chrysanthus Ahmadu, explained that the proposed law takes care of herders, farmers and other interest groups in the livestock value chain.
“In ranching, there would be dairy and beef production, fodder production, marketing and associated businesses that would employ many. It would also go a long way in ending destruction of farmlands by livestock, clashes between farmers and herders and unnecessary violence that is rooted in the unsavoury relationship between them,” he said.
Legislative huddles
As the PSLT bill is transmitted to the House of Assembly, many people are looking at the legislature as to whether or not they would consider the executive request and pass same or on the contrary.
A public affairs commentator, Mr Azi Peter Aware said, “My expectations are that diary products from cattle would be improved and beef quality would also be increased for export. This can boost the economy of both federal, states, local governments and private sector.”
He further opined that besides the economic benefits, the policy would go a long way at solving the menace of herdmen and farmers clashes.
Aware expressed the hope that the state assembly should thoroughly scrutinise the executive bill before passing it into law.
“Public hearing should be held whereby different groups would contribute their quota. The bill should encompass some departments that would create employment for the teeming youths,” he advocated.
Aware expressed concern that some lawmakers and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might put some resistance to the bill since their party has in the past rejected the policy.
“They will surely disagree with it because politics, religion and ethnic sentiments would never be ruled out of the bill. But at the other flip side, the bill is an executive bill, the governor has interest. No doubt, the minority would have their say while the majority will have their way.
“As someone that is familiar with the modus operandi of Plateau state House of Assembly, the simple majority would overrule most of the issues and the speaker will use the power of his gavel,” he said.
He said most of the reasons why there were pockets of protest in the past was that the executive council didn’t collectively come out with a bill like this. He noted further that with this development, it would be more easier for the bill to scale through.
