Nigerian Senate, on Wednesday, passed a Bill to establish the National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission for a second reading after a heated debate at plenary.
The Bill, titled: “A Bill for an Act for the Regulation of Animal Husbandry and Ranches Establishment in Nigeria as a Panacea for Farmers-Herders Crises,” was sponsored by Senator Titus Tartenger Zam representing Benue North-West.
The piece of legislation, if passed into law, is to control and regulate cattle rearing and ranching business across the country, including establishing ranches in the Pastoralists’ states of origin.
He also opined that the Commission, if established, will serve as an antidote for the perennial violent clashes between sedentary farmers and nomadic herders in Nigeria.
Debating on the general principles of the Bill, Senator Zam noted that the absence of a regulatory framework or legislation on pastoralism and livestock mobility generally has created a chaotic scenario of Survival of the Fittest, between sedentary farmers and nomadic herders in Nigeria, saying the situation was unacceptable in the 21st century civilized world.
He argued: “As stakeholders in the Nigeria project and elected representatives of the people, we cannot afford to look on while the country burns into ashes as a result of violent clashes between sedentary farmers and nomadic herders.
“Doing so would amount to abdication of our statutory and leadership responsibilities. The menace of farmers and herders crises can easily be cured through a legislative therapy banning open grazing in Nigeria,” the lawmaker argued.
“Mr. President, now is the time to adopt international best practices in animal husbandry. My distinguished colleagues, now is the time to bring about a law to stop open grazing. It is old fashioned, hazardous, burdensome and must be discarded.”