83
By Daniel Adaji
The Federal Government says it has not issued any nationwide ban on open grazing, countering reports circulating in sections of the media.
The clarification came on Tuesday, from the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, who said that the government is instead implementing a phased transition toward modern ranching systems.
Maiha made it clear that no policy has been introduced to abruptly halt open grazing. Rather, he said the administration is pursuing “a gradual, well-structured transition from open grazing to modern ranching systems,” aligning with national reforms in the livestock sector.
He noted that Nigeria already has 273 gazetted grazing reserves covering more than 4.5 million hectares. According to him, the Federal Government is working with state governments to revitalise and equip the reserves, making them conducive for pastoralists and other livestock operators.
The minister added that the transition framework is designed to reduce friction between herders and farming communities while boosting productivity.
He noted that the policy “does not abolish open grazing overnight but provides viable alternatives that support productivity, reduce conflicts, and promote a sustainable livestock ecosystem.”
He also highlighted the economic perspective behind the reforms. “Pastoralists, like every other economic group, require a structured business environment. The grazing reserves provided by law are meant to serve as business premises for all livestock activities. Our responsibility is to upgrade these reserves and facilitate their proper utilisation,” he said.
The Ministry urged Nigerians to ignore misleading news reports and depend on official government communication channels for accurate updates on livestock development policies.