by
The Emir of Muri in Taraba State, Abbas Njidda Tafida, has called on the government at all levels to encourage herders to embrace modern livestock practices.
He said the encouragement can come through the establishment of ranches all over the country.
He made the call while addressing the people of the state who paid him a Sallah homage at his palace in the Jalingo metropolis.
The Emir said the establishment of settlement schemes for pastoral communities will go a long way in encouraging herders to embrace modern livestock practices.
The monarch who also described modern livestock practices, as the surest way to end the incessant rift between the herders and farmers, urged all hands to be on deck to mitigate against herders/farmers conflicts.
The competition for land, now occupied by towns and farms, the monarch said, necessitated his call for an immediate shift from traditional practices to modern approaches.
Viewing ranching as a key component of modern livestock production, he argued that modern livestock production is more profitable than the traditional system of rearing animals.
He said, “It is now a reality that grazing lands are no longer available due to population growth, with development occupying all available lands across the country.
“Most grazing lands have been converted into farms or urban areas, leaving farmers and developers in need of additional land,” he said.
He said if the suggestion is applied, it would go a long way in halting the incessant conflict between farmers and herders which has in the past led to massive destruction of lives and property among which includes farm products and cattle.
