FG to Approve N100bn for Mini Modern Ranches

Jaiyeola Andrews in Abuja

The federal government on Thursday said it was considering approving N100 billion for the establishment of mini modern ranches across the country.

The fund, according to the Committee on Grazing Reserves chaired by the Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, would be provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Suswam made the disclosure while briefing State House correspondents after the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
According to the governor,  his committee’s reports highlighted critical issues to be considered.

The issues included struggle for land and water resources by the herdsmen and farmers, uncontrolled influx of nomadic farmers into Nigeria and issues on grazing reserves in states.

He said the committee recommended that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should provide seed funding of N100 billion to assist states establish mini modern ranches across the federation.

“That all grazing reserves/cattle routes already gazette and encroached upon should be recovered and improved upon taking into consideration the present day realities.

“That ranching and modern technologies of livestock production be established-meat processing and packaging e.g. Halal certified and that sensitisation/education workshops be organised for herdsmen and farmers to build trust and confidence between the parties.

“The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and relevant ministries departments and agency (MDAs) were charged to handle this,” Suswam said.

He told journalists that NEC, discussed and amended some of the recommendations and appointed the Hon. Minister of National Planning, Minister of Agriculture and Benue State Governor to come up with the final framework for approval and implementation.

He added that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, presented the draft report of the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform (PTCLR) which was reconstituted by Mr. President in November 2011.

“Among the terms of reference for the PTCLR, according to him are provision technical assistance to states and local governments to undertake land cadastral nationwide; determination of individual possessory rights using best practices and most appropriate technologies.

“Others are to encourage and assist states and local governments to establish an arbitration mechanisms for land ownership conflict resolution; make recommendation on mechanism for land valuation in both urban and rural areas in the federation and any other recommendation that will ensure effective, simplified, sustained and successful land administration in Nigeria.

“The PTCLR observed among others that there is critical and urgent need to address the obvious and critical weakness in legal framework for land governance in the country,” he said.

The council, however, resolved that members should study the report, prepare inputs and present at the next meeting.