AN economist, Prof. Sheriffdeen Tella, on Wednesday said the establishment of cattle ranches across the country would bring to an end security problems arising from open grazing.

Tella, Professor of Economics, Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, Ogun said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

“I am concerned with the issue of establishment of cattle ranches in states of the federation by the Federal Government and the rejection by some state governments and traditional organisations.

“Truly, establishment of cattle ranches should be a private sector affair but this may not be feasible in the case of Nigeria,” he said.

Tella said the cost of setting up a cattle ranch with modern technology was quite huge and could be discouraging in an environment where it had not been the practice.

He said some states might not have the money to set up the pilot schemes, but that the federal government could allocate funds for such.

“It is clear that Land Use Acts vested the distribution of land in the state government and the federal government has no right to occupy land in the states without the consent of the governors.

“Those states that make land available will have great benefits which include removal of conflicts between farmers and herdsmen, development of animal husbandry pari-pasu with crop farming; cleaner environment, among others,” he added.

Tella explained that states that kicked against establishment of cattle ranches would lose out.

He said such states have to cope with the menace of the herdsmen, the security issues and dirty environment associated with open gracing.

“It is imperative for the states against establishment of cattle ranches to note that they cannot dictate how the federal government spends its budget allocation to agriculture.

“By the time the pilot scheme gets to five years, it is believed that some private individual developers will take up the business of providing cattle ranches all over the country,” Tella said.

Tella said all Nigerians must work together to establish cattle ranches to solve the insecurity problems arising from open grazing in the country.

He said the problems arising from open grazing would continue to destroy food and cash and lead to food crisis and unemployment in the country if not checked.

Tella said another challenge was the eyesore caused by finding cattle roaming major roads in big cities, including the vicinity of important national and international buildings, necessitating the establishment of cattle ranches. (NAN)

Jul. 18, 2018 @ 11:55 GMT |