Nigerian Government Approves N91billion For Grazing Reserves

The plan, according to government, is expected to gulp about N91billion in investments, while a profit of N2trillion is expected over the 10-year period.

the Nigerian government has initiated a 10-year National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) as part of efforts to address clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

The plan, according to government, is expected to gulp about N91billion in investments, while a profit of N2trillion is expected over the 10-year period.

The first phase of the plan will take care of grazing reserves in each of the seven pilot states of Adamawa, Benue, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Taraba, and Zamfara which have been affected by herdsmen/farmers clashes, with four ranches (small, intermediate, medium and large) in each grazing reserve. 

According to the plan as reported by Daily Trust newspaper, ranchers and rearers will be encouraged to bring their cattle to a fattening site wherein the cattle will be fed so as to boost average weight from 200-250 kg to 450-500kg.

If done, livestock farmers are expected to recoup N350,000 per cow at the selling rate of N900 per kilogramme.

According to the plan, “funding would be provided to cover the cost of fattening. Once cattle are enrolled in the programme, the asset owner will sign an agreement with the lender to allow for all cattle to be sold at specified weight range.

“Upon sale, lender deducts the cost of fattening from realized value, and cattle owner keeps the remainder of profit, minimizing risk and upfront investment."