PLATEAU State Government, at the weekend, said the establishment of ranches would address the incessant herdsmen/farmers crisis.

The Deputy Governor, Professor Sonni Tyoden, stated this while speaking at a political awareness seminar on grazing reserves/ranching at COCIN headquarters in Jos. “Ranching would prevent animals from roaming into farmlands and they would be well fed and properly taken care of.

Livestock breeding is not restricted to cattle, it also involves sheep, goat and other livestock.” He explained that the focus of the federal government is on developing livestock breeding with modern techniques and technology. “Ranching is the modern way of livestock breeding. What the government is trying to do through this policy is to subsidize the business of livestock production.

“We were voted in by the people of Plateau and their interest comes first in everything that we do, we are committed to giving the best to our people and we would not take any stand that is against their will. That is why we set up a 14-man committee to examine the gains.

Nobody would be forced to donate his or her land and these ranches are not being created for any particular tribe, they are for members of the community.”

Speaking at the occasion, the member representing Donga/Ussa/Takum Federal Consituency, Rima Shawulu, called on the state government to ensure that the interest of the people are considered on the proposed ranching policy.

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Ranching will end conflict between herdsmen and farmers – Tyoden