As the dry season approaches and Fulani herdsmen move southwards with their cattle in search of greener pastures, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has appealed to farmers in the state to be understanding with them.
The Governor who spoke while inspecting his cattle ranch earlier today in Makurdi, the state capital, said ranching is the solution to the seasonal clashes between herdsmen and farmers, however he urged farmers to be patient as it would take a while before the idea of ranching materialises.
“Of course, I think that this (ranching) is the most civilised way of breading cattle. Gone are the days when land was available and then you can afford grazing.
“But one thing I keep saying is that we must also understand with herdsmen, we must find a way of supporting them.
“The state and federal government have the responsibility to ensure that they provide the needed infrastructure and capacity for the herdsmen to ranch.
“And we continue to appeal to our people to live and let live, let us continue to work together. Ranching cannot be done overnight but it is the best practice internationally.” He said.
Over 1,000 lives have been lost in the last three years to herdsmen attacks in communities in Benue State involving 14 out of the 23 local governments in the state.
COMMENTS