The degree of carnage that has beset agriculture in Nigeria, occasioned by the unchecked malfeasance of herdsmen cannot be quantified in monetary and economic terms.
Why are their numbers increasing and their attendant damages escalating? The reason could be linked to the increase in global temperatures (global warming) and droughts in the sub-Saharan terrain. But evidently, it is as a result of the unchecked excesses by these herdsmen. These herdsmen have a strong association, and that is why they can attack a village without fear of any consequence. It may surprise you to know that some of these herdsmen come into the country from as far out as Niger and Chad.
We must understand that when there’s no control, the people cast off restraints. The summation of the tragedy we are faced with is simply a breach in law enforcement. Society tends to forget that if there is no concern about if cows run a cereal farm aground, waiving it off as a case that is not a direct loss, the day will come when it will go beyond the destruction of neighbours belongings. Sooner or later, the menace becomes a norm, with criminals strolling into houses and taking whatever they will. This culture of impunity is also termed permissiveness.
Fortunately, solutions are not far-fetched, if the action of the government is involved. The government should wake up and see it as their role, just like anywhere in the world, to safeguard life and property. In a bid to bring this to happen, herdsmen should be licensed to run their businesses. With the license number, any state or local government that the cattle are about to enter would ensure that the owners of the cows seek clearance with it. This ensures that when and if his herdsmen misbehave, it becomes traceable to such an owner because this is a registered business backed by supervisory and regulatory roles of the government. Furthermore, any prospective herdsman must show his capacity to feed his stock before he is licensed.
In addition, The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeder Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) should be called to talk to their members, to make them understand that the same pain they feel when they lose a cow is what a farmer feels when he/she loses a farm produce.
With economic realities getting harsher, the unemployed army of Nigerian youths is considering agriculture. If then more and more persons are seeking survival via farming, regulations should be established on how to go about it in productive ways, and with a changed mindset towards nomadic culture. It might interest us to know that the largest beef producing countries in this world have gone beyond the nomadic fashion. We can also learn from our neighboring country, Cameroon. They have grazing reserves, and there is a minimal report of clashes between herdsmen and farmers.
Another solution to curb nomadic travels of herdsmen and their cattle is the use of fodder during the dry season. Hence, the farmer that will produce the seed for the fodder should be protected from the loss caused by violent herdsmen. Four years ago, I was in the UK, in Derbyshire, and I observed that their farmers cultivated grass when the weather is suitable which is then harvested and stored as hay for the animals to eat when the weather is unfavourable (freezing). This is also done in Italy and USA.
Indeed fodder, which is even as nutritious, is an alternative to free grazing. This then exposes the potentials that lie in investing in it. The economic benefit when the importance of fodder is realized would result in farmers making more money, less damage to farmlands as a result of grazing, an increased turnover of farm produce, and more job creation as a result of entrepreneurs from fodder centres.
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Thank you Mobo for calling everyone’s attention to this devils in our country that are discuraging famers and future farmers in the bid to sustain their own way of life. I hope someone in authority is listening. It’s however the duty of everyone of us farmer or not to keep on talking until someone hears and something is done. Cheers
True. Spread the message.