The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has said that full implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Programme (NLTP) would address the problem of farmers-herders clashes in the country.
The governor stated this when he addressed State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, October 13.
Obaseki said the resolution of Edo people is that ranching is a private business and should be treated as such.
The Edo State Governor stated: “Our people say that as far as they are concerned, ranching is a private business just like every other agricultural venture, therefore, those involved should provide the land.
“As you already know, it is expensive to run and manage ranches.
“So I came to discuss with the President that since the people of Edo would rather invest privately.
“Then, the National Livestock Transformation Programme, which is now being implemented by the Federal Government, should acknowledge our model.
“It should also be able to help Edo people benefit from the funding that is now being made available for people who want to go into the livestock business and have made investments in ranches and other similar livestock programmes.
“As you know, most Southern States have passed laws relating to open grazing but Edo State has not. Because we want to ensure that whatever laws we pass are laws that we can enforce.
“We have had extensive consultations with our people to deal with the issue that yes, we do not want open grazing because it is out modelled and out dated; however, what are the options?
“If we are asking that we should now have ranches and these cows should be constrained to specific areas such as ranches, then who provides the land?,” he queried.