The Nigerian Senate debated a bill to establish ranches and prohibit open grazing today. If passed, the law is intended to curb the incessant violent attacks by nomadic herdsmen on sedentary farmers in most parts of the federation.
The bill successfully scaled through the second reading on Wednesday afternoon.
The Senate not only suggested a public hearing for a comprehensive solution, but also a national summit on the subject.
Senator Titus Zam (APC, Benue North-West) played a strong role in the bill’s progression. His motion on the bill and arguments persuaded fellow legislators to see the benefits of a legislative ban on open grazing in Nigeria in effectively addressing the crises faced by farmers and herders.
He also argued on the need for the new enactment to prohibit open grazing and bring all animal husbandry in line with global best practices for animal husbandry.
Ranching Or Open-Grazing
Central to the bill is the proposal to transition from traditional livestock-keeping methods to modern, safer, and healthier practices. The bill advocates for ranching as the sole viable alternative for cattle breeding in Nigeria, A move that could significantly improve the welfare of both the herds and the herders.
“The bill proposes that ranches be established in the pastoralists’ state of origin without forcing it upon other states or communities that do not have pastoralists as citizens.
“The bill further proposes that interested parties in livestock business must seek and obtain approvals of their host communities to establish ranches for peaceful co-existence.”
A portion of the bill that proposed establishing ranches in pastoralist states without forcing them into other states that do not have pastoralist communities became the subject of contention.
Despite opposition from some lawmakers, including the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who clamored that the bill be stepped down, most lawmakers supported it when it was eventually put to a voice vote.
The bill was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Trade and Investment and Legal Services to report back in one month.
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