The Federal Government has called on pastoralists across Nigeria to embrace ranching and other modern livestock production systems, saying the long-standing practice of open grazing is no longer sustainable due to population growth, climate change and shrinking land resources.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Dr Idi Maiha, made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja during an interactive session with the Miyetti-Allah Fulaku Yeso Yeso Development Association (MAFYDA).
He said Nigeria must move away from traditional nomadic grazing to a more settled and organised system of livestock production that will improve animal health, increase productivity and reduce conflicts between farmers and herders.
According to him, the future of livestock production lies in sedentarisation, where herders settle in one place and engage in planned animal rearing with proper support systems such as veterinary services, pasture development and water supply.
Maiha said the realities on the ground have made open grazing increasingly difficult, noting that natural grasslands are shrinking while farmland expansion and environmental changes continue to reduce available grazing space.
“Natural grasslands are no longer readily available and animals are highly malnourished in many parts of the country,” the minister said.
“Adoption of sedentary livestock production is essential and must be embraced by pastoralists,” he added.
Open grazing has been a long-standing practice among pastoralist communities in Nigeria, especially the Fulani herders who move their cattle across different states in search of pasture and water.
However, in recent years, the system has come under heavy criticism due to increasing clashes between farmers and herders, destruction of farmlands, cattle rustling and rising insecurity in some parts of the country.
Several state governments have introduced laws restricting open grazing, while also encouraging ranching as a safer and more productive alternative.
Ranching involves keeping animals within a confined and controlled area, where their food, water and health needs are properly managed.
Supporters of ranching say it helps improve livestock quality, reduces disease outbreaks, and prevents conflicts over land use.
Dr Maiha said the Federal Government is already working on a major plan to support the transition, including the development of 417 grazing reserves across the country.
He explained that the reserves would provide land for pastoralists to settle and operate ranches either individually or as communities.
“Pastoralists can acquire land within grazing reserves for ranching purposes. These can be individual or community ranches where livestock production takes place within designated grazing areas,” he said.
The minister added that the ministry is working with state governments to ensure that the reserves are equipped with basic infrastructure such as animal feed, water supply, veterinary services and security support.
He stressed that the new Ministry of Livestock Development, created by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024, was established to reform the sector and turn it into a modern and productive part of Nigeria’s economy.
According to him, the ministry’s focus is to shift livestock production from informal and traditional systems to a more structured, commercial and technology-driven industry.
“The goal is to ensure the sector contributes significantly to the Gross Domestic Product, creates jobs for millions of youths and produces enough meat, dairy and other animal products for domestic and export markets,” Maiha said.
He noted that Nigeria has enormous potential in livestock production, but poor systems and outdated practices have limited growth over the years.
The minister said the government’s strategy includes improving access to finance, expanding markets, encouraging private sector investment and promoting modern livestock technologies.
He also urged pastoralist organisations to help sensitise their members on the need to embrace reforms such as pasture cultivation, improved animal breeds and livestock identification systems.
“Adoption of modern methods will not only improve productivity but also promote peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders,” he added.
At the meeting, the National President of the Miyetti-Allah Fulaku Yeso Yeso Development Association, Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman, expressed support for efforts to improve the livestock sector.
He was represented by the association’s National General Secretary, Mr Moh’d Dodo.
Suleiman said the association remained committed to peace, national unity and cooperation with government in addressing challenges in the livestock sector.
However, he called for stronger government support to ease the transition from traditional grazing to modern livestock farming.
He appealed for the establishment of the office of Special Assistant to the President on Fulani Matters, saying it would help improve communication and policy implementation affecting pastoral communities.
Suleiman also requested increased investment in grazing reserves, youth employment programmes and expansion of the livestock value chain to create more economic opportunities.
According to him, improved grazing facilities would reduce the movement of livestock across long distances and help address farmer-herder conflicts.
He further called for structured engagement with security agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force.
He said such cooperation would help strengthen early warning systems, improve conflict prevention and support peacebuilding efforts in rural communities where most pastoralists operate.
Suleiman reaffirmed the association’s readiness to work with the government to promote peaceful coexistence and sustainable livestock production in the country.
Nigeria’s livestock sector remains one of the largest in West Africa, with millions of cattle, sheep and goats contributing to food supply and rural livelihoods.
However, experts say poor management systems, climate change and increasing competition for land have made traditional grazing less sustainable.
They argue that modern ranching systems, if properly implemented, could transform the sector, improve food security and reduce long-standing tensions between farmers and herders.
As the Federal Government pushes ahead with its reform agenda, attention will now focus on how quickly pastoral communities can adapt to the new system and how effectively the planned grazing reserves will be developed across the country.