The Nigerian Senate is advancing a bill to establish a Cattle Ranch Commission aimed at ending violent farmer-herder conflicts, modernizing livestock production, and supporting the country’s drive toward food self-sufficiency.
Senator Saliu Mustapha, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, announced the initiative during a two-day seminar in Abuja on Wednesday themed “Feeding the Future: Nordic Expertise Meets Nigeria’s Livestock Ambition.”
Represented by the Clerk of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Hajia Habiba Mohammed, Mustapha said the committee has sought input from major stakeholders, including the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the National Security Council, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, and others.
He identified recurring farmer-herder clashes as the single biggest obstacle to growth in the livestock and dairy sectors, noting that persistent insecurity discourages local investors from entering the industry.
The proposed Commission would encourage Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to develop ranching infrastructure, moving away from open grazing.
Supporters say this would reduce violence, improve productivity, and strengthen national food security.Mustapha commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s steps to address the crisis, including recapitalization of the Bank of Agriculture and the creation of a standalone Ministry of Livestock Development.
He pledged that the National Assembly would provide adequate funding to the Ministries of Agriculture and Livestock Development and related agencies.In his keynote address delivered by Director of Nutrition and Food Safety Mr. Nuhu Kilishi Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Senator Abubakar Kyari stressed that Nigeria’s protein systems (livestock, fisheries, and crops) will determine the nation’s future health and economic prosperity.
Despite vast agricultural potential, he said protein production remains inadequate, especially for vulnerable groups, and urged stakeholders to propose concrete solutions for stronger value chains, better regulation, and increased investment in processing, storage, and capacity-building across dairy, fish, and vegetable sectors.
Kyari called Nigeria’s protein development goals both ambitious and essential, saying inclusive, expert-led policies can create a sustainable system to feed the country’s growing population.
In her welcome address, Olufunke Rekiya Hassan pointed out that Nigeria’s livestock and dairy sector remains severely underdeveloped despite abundant arable land, a large youthful population, and strong domestic demand.
She criticized the billions of naira spent annually on imported dairy and protein products that could be produced locally.
“This is not only a food security challenge but also a GDP and revenue challenge, and ultimately a development challenge,” she said, describing the seminar as the launch of sustained efforts to build partnerships, mobilize finance, shape policy, and drive implementation.
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