I've approved land for RUGA project, says Zulum

I’ve approved land for RUGA project, says Zulum

Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno state, says his administration has approved land for the Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) project under the National Livestock Development Plan (NLDP).

According to Isa Gusau, special adviser on communications and strategy to the governor, Zulum disclosed this when he visited Sabo Nanono, minister of agriculture and natural resources, in Abuja.

There have been concerns raised over the availability of land for grazing across the country, as part of efforts to address the clashes between farmers and herders.

The federal government had proposed RUGA as a means to end the incessant clashes between farmers and herders, but it was later suspended following public outcry.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum had recently agreed to adopt the National Livestock Plan, which makes provisions for modernised ranching systems.

In February, Zulum said each state in the north-east can provide at least 5,000 hectares to cover grazing for around three million livestock.

“Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Monday visited the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alh. Mohammad Sabo Nanono, in Abuja, towards domesticating the Federal Government’s programme on ranching otherwise known as ‘Ruga’ project,” the statement reads.

“Governor Zulum informed the Minister that he had already approved the land for the Ruga project under the National Livestock Development Plan.

“Zulum explained that in addition to the ongoing ranching project sited in the central part of Borno, the State was in another collaborative project that will be extended to southern and northern parts of the State.”

Gusau further said officials from the ministry of agriculture are expected in Borno on an assessment visit for the commencement of some projects in the agricultural sector.