KULEN ALLAH RAISES ALARM ON THE RAPID DEPLETION AND DEATH OF THE LIVESTOCK SUB-SECTOR – A CLARION CALL FOR URGENT ACTION
BY THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION, HON KHALIL MUHAMMAD BELLO
It is an incontrovertible fact that, the current administration of President Muhammad Buhari has improved the overall performance of the agricultural sector of the Nigerian economy.
His administration has shown immense commitment to the development and improvement of agricultural outputs, through the aggressive pursuit of the policy of diversification of economic activities of Nigeria.
The country has made giant strides in the area of crop production e.g rice, yam, cassava, etc. as a result of which we have attained unprecedented production levels within the last two years and we export these crops to other countries.
We of Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) highly commend and appreciate the Federal Government for these wonderful and encouraging feats.
However, we want to regrettably note and state that, the livestock sub-sector of the economy has been largely neglected by most of the three tiers of government.
For instance, the attention, provisions and support given to arable crop farmers, are not extended to livestock rearers (Pastoralists).
Over the years, very negligible or in some states none allocations have been made, in annual budgets for livestock production and developments.Also loans to improved agricultural inputs, modern tools, equipment, and implements etc. are been provided for farmers, but little or no such attention or consideration is given to cattle rearers and their livestock.
Rather, it is regrettable to note that, facilities for effective rearing of livestock such as cattle routes, reserved grazing areas, water troughs etc. are being encroached upon, totally blocked or completely destroyed by farmers and most times usurped by intruders. All these coupled with the effects of climate change – desertification and drought etc. are telling seriously on the output and effectiveness of animal husbandry in Nigeria. Cattle rustlers, insurgency and unprecedented migration of the pastoralists and their animals to neighboring countries, are all aggravating the huge depletion and de-population of a cattle, sheep and goats in Nigeria.
This is already causing an acute rise in the prices of these animals in the markets or country, thereby making meat too expensive for the citizenry, thus exposing them to the danger of kwashiorkor.
We severally heard in different occasion, Federal government disbursing billions of naira to farmers, but we are yet to hear a single kobo disburse to cattle rearers as a soft redeemable loan, rather we are only having in some of Nigerian states anti-grazing laws or bills and their alike.
This trend and state of affairs if allowed to persist unchecked, may lead to a crisis in the livestock sub-sector,and will have far reaching effects and implications on both the economy and the health of Nigerians.
It is important to point out that the clashes between herdsmen and farmers are all as a result of total negligence of animal husbandry in Nigeria.
A CLARION CALL
We the members of Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) are:
- Highly troubled by the continual and continuous neglect of the livestock sub-sector of the economy,it is estimated that in the next eight to twelve years, the Nigerian livestock industry will go into extinction if nothing is done, to reverse the present trend
- Totally condemn and disassociate ourselves, from the unwarranted and incessant bloody conflicts, between pastoralist and farmers all over the country. These conflicts are unnecessary and unacceptable.
- Are constrained, to compassionately alert the governments and Nigerians about the prevailing unfavorable condition and situation of cattle rearing in Nigeria. The situation is disturbing and the impending distress and crises in the livestock sector will be alarming and may become over whelming very soon.
- Want to call, on the Federal and State governments, as well as other stakeholders in the livestock industry, to note the following crucial points and takeurgent actions.
OUR PRAYERS
In order to halt and reverse this ugly trend, we ardently pray for the various governments in all states, to kindly take the following steps.
- Make enough budgetary allocations annually for livestock production and development.
- Intensify the war against insurgency and insecurity in the north east and other parts of Nigeria.
- Re-establish and fully safeguard already marked out and gazette cattle routes and grazing reserves and grazing areas, which have been blocked or totally destroyed by farmers.
- Investon providing improved inputs – vaccines, tools and such as cattle drinking troughs, and milking facilities.
- Make available soft loans to herdsmen who lost their animals and the have not, to avail themselves with the resources they require to be more efficient, effective and productive.
COMMENDATION AND A CLARION CALL
Before we continue, it is important and heartwarming, to cite the resent example shown by the executive governor of Yobe State Alh. Ibrahim Geidam (Garkuwan Kulen Allah)
We the members of Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association want to eloquently acknowledge, appreciate the exemplary leadership of His Excellency, Alh. Ibrahim Geidam, His humanism and the bold steps he took, to ameliorate the challenges facing pastoralist of Yobe state, are highly commendable.
- Of special mention is the purchase of One Hundred and Eighty Four Million Naira (N184M) worth of animal feed and the distribution of same, free of charge to us in Yobe state, through the Dept. of Livestock.
- Also His Excellency has provided numerous water points and drinking troughs in various grazing areas of Yobe state.
- Two grazing areas at, namely Nasari and Galda in Jakusko and Fika Local government areas respectively have also been resuscitated by His Excellency for our use.
We are deeply appreciative of these bold steps, and we encourage Federal and other states governors to follow suite, by meeting the needs of pastoralists in their respective states.
Finally, Kulen Allah is of the view that if immediate corrective measures are not taken, to stop the above wanton rapid depletion in the next 8 to 12 years to come, Nigerians will resort to importing animals from Niger, Chad, Cameroun and other Central African countries for their nutritional needs and religious sacrifices.
Signed
Hon. Khalil Muhammad Bello,
National President
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