The federal government has called on the governments of the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS) to proffer solution to incessant herdsmen/farmers clash in the sub-region.
Speaking on behalf of Nigeria, during a courtesy visit made by West African Farmers Network, (WAFN) led by the President, Mamadou Cissokho,to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said the region need to meet and deal with the issues of cattle rearing saying the cows need not move around.
Ogbeh who was elated by the visit assured them of Nigeria’s bigger role to make West Africa an agricultural powerhouse in Africa and stressed that sub-regional integration on agriculture development remains paramount in growing member countries’ economies.
He said: “It will be a fantastic thing for West Africa to become a powerful agricultural force so that we can become stronger economic region and more stable in food production. I thank them for coming. Nigeria will play a bigger role in the sub-region’s agricultural sector.
“Let me talk about the issue of pastoralists and farmers. We will meet to deal with this issue of cattle rearing because we can solve the problem in West Africa. The cows need not to move here and there.
“The herdsmen come as far as Mali, Burkina Faso, and the herdsmen some get attacked as they come and go back and also they arm themselves with AK47 guns.
“From early next year we will discuss this more because through irrigation system and pasture development we can bring these clashes to halt and is very easy and then increase our quantity of milk and quality of meat as we begin to work together including other areas of agriculture and we can form one large market of over 200 million people.”
The Minister also disclosed that government will soon declare ‘Farmer Day’ either in February or March 2017, which will become a yearly event for farmers in Nigeria, and also extend invitation to other West African countries’ farmers to participate.
Meanwhile, the Minister also canvassed for a sub-regional railway system to enhance agribusiness amongst member countries of ECOWAS.
While explaining the motive of their visit, President, WAFN, Mamadou Cissokho, said Nigeria’s role in agricultural development cannot be over emphasized as the country remains strategic in making the sub-region a food powerhouse in Africa.
“We would like Nigeria to get more and more involved in the regional discussions on agriculture and food security recognising the role Nigeria play in West Africa.
“We will also want to the Ministry to arrange within the group so we can meet with Mr President as a group on areas concerning agriculture in the Sub-region. One of the major areas of discussions is on livestock that is focusing on pastoralists and farmers, and cattle fringes in the sub-region.
Also there is a lot of food purchasing across the borders in West Africa. This is also important for member countries to develop and make agribusiness stronger for sub-regional integration”, Cissokho stated.
