TheCable

‎Audu Ogbeh, minister of agriculture‎, says some of the herdsmen wreaking havoc on communities across the country do not speak any Nigerian language.

According to Policy, Legal, Advocacy Centre (PLAC), a non-profit organisation, Ogbeh disclosed this at a public hearing which the senate held to find a solution to the conflict between farmers and herdsmen in the country.

He also restated the government’s plan to import grass from Brazil to feed cattle, adding that nine states had provided hectares of land for the building of ranches.

He was represented by Heineken Lokpobri, minister of state for agriculture.

“Statistics show that most people (herdsmen) arrested do not speak the Nigerian language,” he said.
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“The herdsmen come from across West Africa in search of water and grasses because of the effects of climate change.

‎”The cows in Brazil and Saudi Arabia produce more milk and are healthier than those in Nigeria because they are in ranches.

‎”Setting up ranches and importation of laffa seeds would be done so that grasses can be grown to feed cattle.

“Nine states have provided some hectares of land for the ranches.

‎”Cattle breeding and mass funding of a research institute should be embarked on to resolve the crisis between farmers and herdsmen.‎”