Stakeholders Reject Designated Grazing Routes In Ogun

Stakeholders including farmers and cattle breeders have rejected the grazing routes proposed in the Animal Grazing and Cattle Ranch Establishment Bill, being considered by the Ogun State House of Assembly

They called for expungement of the designated routes in the bill during a public hearing organized by the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee on Wednesday at the assembly's complex in Abeokuta, the state capital

Otunba Abiodun Ogunyemi and Abel Solanke both cattle breeders and Kuforiji Olayinka Oluwadamilare of the Animal Scientists Association of Association of Nigeria joined the majority of stakeholders clamouring for removal for creation of designated routes for grazing in the state

They insisted that cattle rearing should be seen as a serious business which requires every individual to acquire land from the State Government for the establishment of Cattle Ranch, to put an end to frequent clashes between farmers and herders 

 

Another cattle breeder, Olusegun Osinowo however stressed the need for government to ease the process of acquiring the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and others necessary documents for land for the establishment of ranches  

Also the State Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Societies, Comrade Yinka Folarin canvassed for stiffer punitive provisions for herders caught with gun and others  dangerous weapons from 10 years imprisonment to 21years 

However, the State Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria(MACBAN),Abubakar Ibrahim Dede accompanied by the Seriki-Fulani in the state, Alhaji Kabir Mohammed promised, to present their position paper to the house on bill  

Speaker of the house,Right Honourable Olakunle Oluomo who presided over the public hearing,promised that members of the relevant committee would consider the suggestions at the public hearing and accelerate the passage of the season, ahead of the farming season

Oluomo however asked the State Ministry of Agriculture and other regulatory agencies, to consider introduction of head-count of animals or cattle at the point of entry into the state,  for proper registration of the cattle 

He added that such head-count would serve as a source of revenue for government and part of security measures to control movement of the cattle as well as prevent outbreak of diseases in the state

Sponsor of the bill, Hon.Ganiyu Oyedeji explained that the bill was part of proactive measures of the house, to forestall the activities of herdsmen

and frequent clashes with farmers 

"There is no gainsaying that the farmers and herders clashes experienced in the recent times has threatened socio-economic activities in the country, particularly in the state. It is in view of this, that this Honourable House is being proactive in its effort at ensuring this bill receives the necessary legislative backing as well as accelerate passage to forestall the activities of Herdsmen that has ravaged our dear state", he stated.

The public session attracted the State Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Mrs Lola Adeoye Kushimo, that of south west , Prince Segun Dasaolu, Special Adviser on Security to Governor ,AIG, Olusola Subair,retired and top officials of ministries of Agriculture and Forestry