It is not an understatement to say that cattle rearing or business, which is the major and old occupation of Fulani nomads in the country, is being threatened. There are constant clashes between farmers and herdsmen resulting into the destruction of lives and crops.
In the early 1960s, the Northern Nigeria regional government established grazing reserves and routes while the Fulani herdsmen paid taxes in return. In those days, the conflict between the herdsmen and farmers was minimal.
However, the encroachment and taking over of grazing reserves and routes by farmers and land developers were a prelude to the present chaos between farmers and the herdsmen. In 1960, the population of Nigeria was roughly 35m compared to about 200m now. Population explosion has led to struggle for land both for food cultivation and shelter, leaving little for the pastoralists.
The climate change that resulted in drought and desertification has adversely affected the Lake Chad region which shrank by 75 per cent and pushed the Fulani to the South-south in search of greener pastures. The movement of herdsmen has led to collision between farmers and nomads.
It is obvious, open grazing is no longer acceptable globally. The ranching system has been adopted in many countries of the world and has proved effective. When the federal government came up with the idea of “RUGA” or cattle colony many Nigerians and conflict resolution experts commended the bold initiative.
If RUGA can be established as designed by the government, the herdsmen would be confined within a specific area with basic amenities such as schools, hospital and banks etc. The area will also experience adequate security. Under this arrangement, the centuries old practice of open grazing which pitches herdsmen against farmers will be abolished.
The proposed RUGA would also tackle the rising cases of banditry and kidnapping bedevilling the country. There evils are associated with criminals among the Fulani and their collaborators.
It is quite unfortunate that the well-conceived RUGA policy has been turned into ethnicity and politicised by some governors.
The Northern governors should be at the forefront to revisit and adopt the RUGA project. There is need for them to mobilise adequate resources and invest in it. They should also convince their colleagues in other regions about the economic and security benefits of the policy. The Fulani are Nigerians and have contributed significantly to the economic development of the country.
Government should do whatever it takes to sustain the modern method of rearing. We should stop beating the drum of war while the solutions to farmers/herdsmen’s clashes are on our door steps.
Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna State
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