Miyetti Allah Opposes Animal Husbandry Bill; See what they agitate for
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has voiced its opposition to a bill proposing the establishment of a national agency to regulate and manage ranches in Nigeria.
Alhaji Baba Usman Ngelzarma, the president of MACBAN, expressed his objections over the weekend.
Ngelzarma stated that pastoralists are advocating for the creation of a comprehensive Federal Ministry for Livestock and Fisheries, rather than the proposed National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission for the Regulation, Management, Preservation, and Control of Ranches.
According to Daily Trust, a bill aiming to ban open grazing and establish ranches as a solution to the frequent clashes between farmers and herders in Nigeria recently passed its second reading in the Senate after a contentious debate.
Speaking to reporters in Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State, shortly after the inauguration of the state Executive Council of the Association, Ngelzarma emphasized that a Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries would address the entire livestock value chain more effectively than the current legislative efforts.
“Ranching is only one aspect of livestock management. Instead of focusing solely on ranching, why not establish a full-fledged ministry for livestock? Such a ministry could address production, processing, marketing, transportation, and even security-related issues comprehensively,” Ngelzarma argued.
He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to implement the recommendations of the Livestock Reforms and Mitigation Committee, chaired by former Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega. This committee was tasked with finding a lasting solution to the ongoing conflicts between farmers and herders.
“We submitted the Jega report on Livestock Reform and Mitigation last year. We are now looking forward to the President setting up an implementation committee so that the recommendations can be put into action,” Ngelzarma said.
“A key recommendation of that report is the creation of a Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to ensure that livestock-related issues receive the attention they deserve,” he added.
