Ebonyi and Enugu States Set Up Ranches to Reduce Clashes Between Farmers and Herders

The governments of Ebonyi and Enugu states are working on ranching schemes to improve livestock farming in their areas.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that these ranching projects are still being developed in both states, while Anambra does not have any such plans.

Victor Nwite, the project coordinator for the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support in Ebonyi, told NAN that an integrated livestock ranch is being developed at Izziangbo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area.

Mr Nwite explained that this project aims to increase livestock production, improve climate resilience, and support livestock business growth.

"The project, which started in 2024 with support from the World Bank, came after Governor Francis Nwifuru directed that livestock development should be centralized in the state.

"The ranch will cover about 292 hectares of land at the former Veterinary Investigation Centre and will house cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and smaller livestock.

"The state government has allocated ₦150 million as counterpart funding for this project," he said.

He added that the planned facilities for the ranch include an automated abattoir, an artificial insemination centre, veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, a livestock market, feed processing centres, and a mini dam, among others.

However, Salisu Mohammed, the Secretary of the Hausa Quarters Cattle Dealers Association in Ebonyi, said they have only heard about the ranch. He urged the government to make it a reality soon.

"We appeal that the facility be completed quickly to provide secure business and livestock management in the state.

"Cattle dealers and herders enjoy relative peace in Ebonyi as we follow established livestock management laws," he said.

The situation in Enugu State

In Enugu State, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Patrick Ubru, told NAN that the government is setting up an integrated livestock development centre in Owo community, located in Nkanu East Local Government Area.

Mr Ubru said that this ranch will cover over 11,000 hectares and can hold up to 15,000 cattle. This is part of efforts to modernize farming in the state.

"The ranch will help solve the ongoing clashes between farmers and herders and will include features like an automated meat processing facility, climate-smart irrigated pasture, and hybrid veterinary services.

"The project is designed to support cattle rearing, dairy production, and pig farming, aiming to change livestock production from traditional open grazing to a more organized and sustainable farming practice.

"The government will also build a cattle market as part of this initiative to improve livestock trading and management," he said.

Emma Ene, the Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria in Enugu State, welcomed this initiative. He believes it could help solve the long-standing issues between farmers and herders.

"The establishment of the ranch will encourage livestock farmers to adopt organized animal husbandry while protecting farmers from crop losses due to cattle invasion," he said.

He advised livestock farmers to form cooperative societies and register with relevant authorities to access the state government’s support for businesses.