Senate passes bill to ban open grazing, establish ranching agencies (DETAILS)

The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill for a second reading that seeks to ban open grazing and establish a national agency for the regulation and management of ranches in the country.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Titus Zam, aims to address the increasing conflicts between farmers and herders, which have assumed a war-like dimension, resulting in the loss of lives and properties.

Under the bill, herders are expected to establish ranches in their state of origin, rather than roaming freely across the country. The bill also proposes that interested parties in the livestock business must seek and obtain approvals from their host communities before establishing ranches.

The Senate’s passage of the bill is seen as a significant step towards addressing the long-standing issue of farmers-herders conflicts in Nigeria. The bill is now expected to be referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Trade and Investment, Judiciary and Legal Matters for further legislative inputs.

The committee has been given four weeks to submit its report, after which the bill will be considered for further action.

The bill’s passage has been hailed by many as a major breakthrough in the effort to address the country’s security challenges. It is expected to lead to the establishment of a more formalized and regulated system for cattle breeding and management in the country.

Open Grazing: Details of the bill

• The bill seeks to ban open grazing and establish a national agency for the regulation and management of ranches in Nigeria.
• Herders are expected to establish ranches in their state of origin, rather than roaming freely across the country.
• Interested parties in the livestock business must seek and obtain approvals from their host communities before establishing ranches.
• The bill aims to address the increasing conflicts between farmers and herders, which have assumed a war-like dimension, resulting in the loss of lives and properties.

The passage of the bill has been welcomed by many as a major step towards addressing the country’s security challenges.

“This is a major breakthrough in our efforts to address the farmers-herders crisis,” said Senator Titus Zam, sponsor of the bill.

“We are confident that this bill will help to reduce conflicts and promote peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders.”

The bill will now be referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Trade and Investment, Judiciary and Legal Matters for further legislative inputs.

The committee has been given four weeks to submit its report, after which the bill will be considered for further action.