Katsina bans farming on cattle routes

The Katsina State government has prohibited cultivation on cattle routes and grazing reserves in the state at the end of the 2024 farming season. 

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abdullahi Faskari, said this after an inspection tour to Mai’adua and Zango local government areas of the state to mediate conflicts between herders and farmers. 

The SSG said the inspection tour followed reports from herders that their traditional cattle routes, vital for accessing grazing lands, had been blocked by farms in some local government areas. 

He said the affected herders and farmers have been summoned to a meeting in Katsina to discuss the issue, especially as it relates to a section of the cattle route leading to the Niger Republic. 

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“We invited both the herders and the farmers, along with the chairman of the local government to verify the allegations. 

“There was an agreement between the two parties that the current crops being cultivated on the cattle routes would be harvested, but this would be the last farming season on the routes. 

“The team visited Mai’adua and confirmed the agreement. The affected local government areas are, Mashi, Kaita, Dutsinma, Mai’adua and Zango. 

“The traditional institution facilitated the discussions, and we can now confirm that after this season’s harvest, no more farming will take place on the designated cattle routes,” he said. (NAN)