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The Miyetti Cattle Breeder Association of Allah Nigeria (Macban) has reiterated its support for animal husbandry but emphasizes that the transition of traditional cattle that grazing to modern livestock management must be carried out in stages.
Speaking on Tuesday during the panel session on conflict and security resolution in livestock management at the Livestock Summit in Makurdi, President of Macban Baba Ngelzarma, represented by the Secretary, Bello Gotomo, clarified that the association was not against livestock but insisted on a gradual approach to implementation.
Highlighting the challenges of open grazing in a rapidly developing country, Ngelzarma acknowledged the need for modernization in livestock management while emphasizing that shepherds could not leave traditional grazing overnight.
“We cannot leave the grasslands overnight; this is a shift in step by step. We realize that moving livestock as we did in the 1960s were out of date, and we herders were ready to adopt the method of modern livestock production,” he said.
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He noted that while the shepherd was open to animal husbandry, the cost of building and maintaining livestock remains a big challenge.
To overcome this, Ngelzarma urged the government to provide livestock solutions that are in line with Nigeria’s local reality, which stated, “Creating an equivalent play field for shepherd is very important. Importing models from New Zealand or Brazil will not work overnight. Trekking animals are far away for us.”
He also revealed that Macban was actively involved with the Minister of Livestock Development to secure village reserves with important infrastructure, including water supply, market access, veterinary services, and milk equipment, to facilitate transition to animal husbandry.
Emphasizing the importance of peaceful coexistence in the state of Benue, President Macban called on dialogue and understanding between herds and local communities.
“Peace is very important for national development. Overcoming a tense relationship between farmers and shepherd is a collective task, and dialogue remains the best way going forward,” he said.
Ngelzarma also reiterated Macban’s attitude towards the destruction of agricultural land, emphasizing that both farmers and shepherd played an important role in the Nigerian economy.
“Agricultural land and livestock are national assets. Farmers sell their products, and herders sell their cattle – all for the interests of the country. The changes we are looking for can be achieved, but require changes in attitude,” he added.
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