Address the controversy over the cattle colony in Nigeria

In recent weeks, the most controversial issue discussed by lay people and experts is the federal government's proposal that states should donate land across the country for the establishment of cattle colonies.

Of any intention and any purpose, this policy could have been made necessary by the sincere desire to put an end to the incessant clashes between nomadic herders and farmers, which has resulted in loss of life and property since taking office. President Buhari in May two thousand and fifteen. .

In all modesty, clashes between herders and farmers have been endemic in Benue, Plateau, Taraba and throughout the central belt of Nigeria. The place affectionately calls "the tray of blood".

It can not be denied that livestock farming is a private activity and that, unlike crude oil, which contributes to Nigeria's foreign exchange, the money from livestock pbades into individual pockets. As a result, livestock rearing should not normally create feelings of national grandeur.

It makes sense to state that if the proceeds from the sale of livestock are donated to private pockets, the government does not have to develop a policy that requires states to donate land for grazing.

In addition, the livestock colony proposal will intensify conflicts between shepherds and farmers, resulting in the destruction of lives and property.

In the past, such clashes had taken the dimension of "ethnic cleansing", as evidenced by the state of Benue, the blood plateau and the southeast.

In most Nigerian communities, despite the existence of the Land Use Law, as amended, land is managed by families and communities. Since land is considered sacred, customary practices require that community land be neither sold nor transferred.

Modern farming practices do not support the idea of ​​open grazing or the creation of "cattle colonies". In countries like Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, cattle or cows are raised and raised on ranches. With improved feeding and adequate health care, cattle in these confined spaces exhibit superior fertility behavior.

Agricultural scientists argue that open grazing cattle is obsolete in countries where beef is mbad produced for export. These countries earn huge currencies through breeding.

The use of improved livestock feeds, coupled with good hygiene, allows for high livestock breeding, which is high on ranches.

Given the controversy surrounding the "cattle colony" debate, it is high time for the federal government to consider new methods of raising livestock, as a major occupation of President Buhari's parents – the Fulani.

Most badysts have raised the argument beyond the conflict scenario generated by several clashes between shepherds and farmers. Some think that the dummy of the "cattle colony" is a veiled attempt to Islamize the country. This argument stems from the fact that Nigeria is a member of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) and that affidavit under oath to fulanize the nation becomes apparent.

The fulanization hypothesis seems plausible because it would be almost impossible to live in peace with farmers all over Nigeria without clashes. Another aspect of the argument is that wherever herders go, they are accompanied by the Koran, waving Muslims who could precipitate a crisis of religious coloring, which would pose a serious danger to lives and property .

The palaver RUGA may not be able to mitigate quickly. The federal government has already allocated huge sums of money to this unfortunate project.

Essentially, no developing economy has relied on the sale of livestock, and it is absolutely necessary to emphasize industrialization and innovation as true catalysts for development.

Indeed, the RUGA project is feeling economic regression, a leap forward towards stagnation, which portrays Nigeria as a country that is in no hurry to develop. With RUGA, Nigeria will tangibly miss a huge opportunity for accelerated development.