Herders Accuse Agric Ministry Of Neglect

The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has alleged neglect by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture through non-budgetary allocation to livestock and fish farmers.

The national president of KACRAN, Mr Khalil Bello, who stated this yesterday during an interview with LEADERSHIP, appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the ongoing continuous voter registration billed to end this month to enable its members in the remotest areas and bushes to participate in the 2023 general elections.

He said KACRAN which is an association formed to bring peace between cattle rearers and farmers in Nigeria wants the federal government to create a Ministry of Animal Resources to will take care of the livestock sector since the activities of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development are tilted towards arable farming to the detriment of livestock and fishery sectors.

Bello called on members nationwide to live in peace with host communities noting that no one would benefit from suffering of another.
“We call on members to make sure that they are not reckless in rearing their cattle and ensure that they are not tempering on people’s farms.

“At the same time, we are appealing to farmers to stop blocking grazing reserves because if they are blocked, there would be no space for herders to tear their animals , which manures are used for farming, in view of the scarcity of fertilisers.

“KACRAN is passionately appealing to the INEC to extend the voters registration excercise. The nature of our people residing in the remotest rural areas and bushes necessitated the appeal. We want them to be captured hence we are appealing to the INEC,” he said.

He commanded the North East Development Commission (NEDC) for capturing members in its policies and programmes.