The Federal Government has moved to stop cattle from roaming across the country, within the next 18 to 24 months.
Chief Audu Ogbeh, the minister of agriculture and rural development, announced the plans at the 19th Regional Implementation Forum for International Fund for Agricultural Development-supported projects in West and Central Africa in Abuja on Tuesday.
Ogbeh represented President Buhari at the occasion.
According to him, “This is why our government has decided that grasslands in large portions around the country will be created and improved grass seeds will be brought in from other countries, which have gone ahead of us to create the desired grass that will make it unnecessary for the herdsmen to roam about. So in the in next 18 to 24 months, we assure you that no cattle will roam about in this country.
“We need young women and men who can invest in cattle rearing and milk production as this must not be left only to the Fulani herdsmen. Feeding cattle has been an issue, which we need to address.
“We have given support to rice, wheat and cassava farmers; also to cocoa producers.”
The measure is a part of the government’s plan to stop the invasion of communities and massacre of the indigenes by herdsmen.