Kano State to Restore 371 Grazing Reserves After Governor's Order

The Kano State Government is set to restore about 371 grazing reserves across the state’s 44 local government areas that farmers have encroached on.

This decision comes after an executive order from Governor Abba Yusuf in 2024. The order stops the allocation of grazing reserves and cattle routes, known as Burtali.

According to the Executive Order, “No ministry, department, or agency, including the Ministry of Agriculture, local government authorities, traditional institutions, titleholders, or individuals within the state, shall allocate, permit, or confer any right of occupancy, whether permanent or temporary, on any designated grazing reserve or cattle route.”

The governor has also directed the Chairman of the State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission to make sure everyone follows this order.

“Under this order, the commission shall deploy all available legal instruments to check the excesses of Kano State public institutions, including local government councils, and prosecute violators,” the statement added.

Back in the 1960s, the Nigerian government set up grazing reserves and marked livestock routes, called Burtali in Hausa. This was to help nomadic herders settle down, manage their cattle better, and avoid trespassing on farm lands.

These routes were supposed to let herders move cattle from the dry north to the wetter south during the dry season without disturbing local farms.

Over the years, crop farmers have expanded their farms into the areas meant for grazing and transit. This has made the land open to illegal sales, corrupt local authorities, or urban development.

When farmers block traditional cattle routes or plant crops in grazing reserves, cattle often trample the crops or eat them.

Farmers then respond by seizing or harming the livestock, leading to violent cycles between crop farmers and cattle herders.

Following the start of the regazetting process, Fulani leaders praised the Kano State Government for its work to reclaim encroached grazing reserves and cattle routes.

Leaders from the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and the Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (FULDAN) shared their thoughts in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Kano.

The Kano State Chairman of MACBAN, Abdullahi Bakoji, a retired military officer, and his FULDAN counterpart, Sani Adamu, called the move a good step and a proactive way to protect grazing reserves and cattle routes. They said it would help promote peaceful coexistence.

The groups pointed out that the invasion of grazing reserves has often led to clashes between herders and farmers.

“We particularly commend Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf for issuing an Executive Order prohibiting the sale, allocation, or unlawful conversion of grazing reserves and cattle routes.

“MACBAN expresses profound appreciation for responding positively to our longstanding concerns regarding the illegal sale and encroachment of grazing reserves and stock routes across the state.

“This courageous and timely decision shows the administration’s commitment to protecting vital livestock infrastructure and promoting peaceful coexistence among all communities in Kano State,” the group stated.

According to the leaders, a key part of this initiative is the creation of a multi-stakeholder committee. This committee includes local government chairpersons, district heads, land officers, leaders of Miyetti Allah, and representatives from pastoralist communities in the local government areas.

“The committee adopted a transparent verification process whereby pastoralist representatives identified grazing reserves and stock routes that had allegedly been sold, encroached upon, or diverted over the past two years.

“These submissions were then verified by the relevant District Heads and Land Officers before being formally documented and endorsed by all parties.

“Through this collaborative effort, the committee found 371 grazing reserves and cattle routes that had been affected in the last two years, despite existing government rules meant to protect these areas.

“We want to stress that this initiative is not meant to favour any particular ethnic group, profession, or community,” the group stated.

The leaders noted that experience shows that disputes over lost grazing reserves and stock routes have caused tensions and insecurity in many parts of Nigeria.

“Addressing these issues through lawful and transparent means is in the collective interest of all citizens.

“We believe the actions taken by the Kano State Government are an important step toward preventing conflict, managing land properly, and promoting peaceful relations between pastoralists and farming communities,” the group added.