Ranching Will Boost Food Production, Curb Insecurity — Nwoko

The lawmaker representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ned Nwoko has stated that the proposed bill on the establishment of ranching across the country will help to address the twin challenges of food production and insecurity arising from farmer-herder clashes, if passed into law.

Sponsored by Senator Nwoko, the bill seeks to ‘Provide for the Establishment, Development, and Management of Ranches in the 774 Local Government Areas and the Federal Capital Territory, to Promote Modern Livestock Farming, Curb Open Grazing, Enhance Food Security, and for Related Matters.’

The bill which is currently undergoing legislative scrutiny, also provides for establishing a Ranch Development and Management Agency.

In addition, the bill also seeks to provide statutory framework for establishing, developing, and managing ranches across the 774 local government areas and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

The Bill also seeks to ensure the regulation of ranching operations and related activities to prevent, mitigate, and resolve conflicts arising from open grazing, particularly those between farmers and herders.

Speaking on the bill, Senator Nwoko maintained that ranching would provide a lasting solution to the recurring incidence of clashes between farmers and herders over grazing areas.

He further noted that, “Once we effectively tackle that, we will have provided a stable condition for farmers to produce more.”

He said the decision to sponsor the bill was informed by the need to promote modernisation of livestock farming practices, facilitate cooperation between the three tiers of government in the implementation and administration of ranching projects, and respect constitutional provisions and land tenure laws.

Nwoko said the Bill also made adequate provisions to protect and promote the rights of individuals, communities, and other stakeholders in allocating, acquiring, and using land for ranching purposes in line with the Land Use Act and other relevant legislation.

“It is a given that ranching is the way to go regarding modern livestock farming. With our long years of seemingly intractable farmer-herder clashes occasioned mainly by the struggle for grazing areas, ranching will help curtail the clashes between farm owners and herders, end open grazing and significantly enhance food security,” Senator Nwoko said.