The Federal Government’s policy on modern way of livestock production for improved agriculture sector in Nigeria has received a boost.
This followed the recommendations submitted by a 14-member committee set up by the Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, to study the policy.

At a joint consultative forum of Plateau State Peace Building Agency and Traditional Council of Chiefs held at the New Government House in Little Rayfield on Wednesday, the stakeholders embraced the policy, saying the controversy that has greeted the policy was due largely for lack of proper awareness.

The Plateau State Peace Building Agency and Traditional Council of Chiefs formally held a consultation and dialogue meeting with traditional rulers to finetune arrangements for the proposed take off of the ranch pilot scheme in Plateau State.

Welcoming stakeholders to the session, Governor Lalong said in his desire to run an all inclusive government, he has decided to constitute the conflict management resolution bureau to continue to mediate and enhance unity among the people.

He said it became imperative to engage the bureau made up of CAN, JNI, Professors, Lawyers and traditional rulers in the ongoing consultation on the ranching policy so that they will follow up to find out the concept associated with the policy.

He said: “We want peace.

“And from here we will engage other stakeholders and the people in general as it is recommended by the committee’s interaction with the Minister of Agriculture to let them understand that the scheme is for every body.”
He said the policy is not compulsory for anybody or state but he decided to involve Plateau State because it was agreed at the National Assembly and the budget has already been approved for it.

However, those who spoke, according to their findings, Prof. Ochakpa Onazi, Prof. Dakkas C. Dakkas and Prof. Garba Sharbutu, said the policy has greater advantage to citizens.

They said the Minister of Agriculture was thoroughly engaged on both the security and legal implications and they were convinced  beyond reasonable doubt that if the policy is properly handled, it will stand the test of time.

Prof. Dakkas, on the legal aspect, said the misconceptions and misunderstanding of the people on the policy is the insinuation that it is the All Progressives Congress and President Muhammadu Buhari’s design to grab land for the Fulanis.

They described it as a fallacy.

According to him: “The general apprehension and misconception is that government wants to come in to grab and take people’s land, but the governor also knows that the Land Use Act of 1978 will not allow anybody to take over your land.

“Government will work with community leaders, land owners towards the purpose.”

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Plateau stakeholders endorse government’s position on ranching