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Farmers

Nigeria's New Ministry of Livestock Development Seeks to Address Farmer-Herder Conflict and Boost Agriculture

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As President Bola Tinubu announces the creation of Nigeria's new Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, there are high hopes that it will help address the longstanding issue of farmer-herder conflict, which has claimed over 2,600 lives in 2021 alone. The ministry aims to mend relations between pastoralists and farmers, improve agricultural productivity, and strengthen value chains, but its success is threatened by opposition from some politicians and ethno-religious activists who fear it will favor pastoralists over farmers. The ministry has already made significant strides, including plans to tighten regulations on animal imports, digitize grazing routes, and develop schemes to enhance the leather industry.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ministry of Livestock Development aims to address farmer-herder conflict, which has resulted in over 2,600 deaths in 2021.
  • The ministry plans to tighten regulations on animal imports, digitize grazing routes, and develop schemes to enhance the leather industry.
  • Opposition from some politicians and ethno-religious activists fears that the ministry will favor pastoralists over farmers.
  • The ministry's focus on supporting pastoralists' land tenure security is crucial to ending conflict, and the Tanzanian government's land use planning model offers a compelling example.
  • Nigerian media coverage on farmer-herder conflicts tends to be alarmist, biased against pastoralists, and incites divisions between the two groups.
  • The pastoralist sector needs significant investment to support livestock health, extension services, markets, and holding stations to provide feed and water along transhumance routes.
  • The ministry's success will hold important lessons for other countries grappling with this critical issue.
  • Pastoralists provide over 80% of Nigeria's meat and 90% of its milk, compared to just 10% from commercial ranches.

Statistics:

  • 2,600 people were killed in 2021 due to farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria.
  • Pastoralists provide over 80% of Nigeria's meat and 90% of its milk, compared to just 10% from commercial ranches.
  • 90% of Nigeria's milk comes from pastoralists.
  • 10% of Nigeria's meat comes from commercial ranches.
  • 10,000-strong security outfit has been formed in Benue State to enforce the ban on open grazing.
  • The Tanzanian government has successfully secured grazing lands for livestock keepers, including pastoralists, through comprehensive land use planning.

Sources:

  • President Bola Tinubu's speech announcing the Ministry of Livestock Development
  • The Coalitions of Pastoralist Associations in Nigeria (CPAN) statement condemning divisive strategies that aim to destabilize pastoralist communities
  • The Bill seeking to ban open grazing entirely across Nigeria's 36 states
  • The Ministry of Livestock Development's implementation committee report
  • FactCheckHub's report on the spread of false information on social media platforms that aggravate conflicts

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