TheCable

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo launched the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) in Adamawa state on Tuesday.

The plan was developed by states and adopted by the national executive council (NEC) to address the farmer-herder crisis in the country.

In a tweet, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo’s media aide, said the launch of the NLTP should not be confused with RUGA, a plan which was suspended by the federal government following public outcry.

“VP Osinbajo in Adamawa today to launch the National Livestock Transformation plan developed by States through NEC, not to be confused with RUGA,” the tweet read.

VP Osinbajo in Adamawa today to launch the National Livestock Transformation plan developed by States through NEC, not to be confused with RUGA

— Laolu Akande (@akandeoj) September 10, 2019

In a series of tweets, Akande said the NLTP is different from the RUGA plan which was scrapped by President Muhammadu Buhari in July, 2019.

He said under the NLTP, states can determine the model which works best for them and work towards peace between farmers and herdsmen.

“Each state is responsible for a suitable delivery mechanism for the NLTP. Basically, each state decides on what works for their state,” he tweeted.

“There is no land grab but a win-win system where both farmers and herders benefit economically and the age-long conflict and tension stop.”

The #NLTP aims to build an ecosystem for Livestock production, peaceful coexistence, economic development and food security.

The NLTP is a product of consultations among different stakeholders- State Governors, Community leaders, Farmers, Herders and other relevant persons.

— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) September 10, 2019

I am in Adamawa State to launch the State-adopted model of the #NationalLivestockTransformationPlan

— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) September 10, 2019

Advertisement

Atiku Bagudu, governor of Kebbi state, had said the federal government plans to attract N2 trillion into the country’s economy through the livestock sector.

Some Twitter users commended government for the initiative, saying it is capable of resolving the conflict between herdsmen and farmers.

NLTP and RUGA are two different programmes, don't get confused.

Advertisement

NLTP is not RUGA

VP Osinbajo cares#NLTPAdamawa

— Kikelomo (@KikelomAdemola) September 10, 2019

This will surely resolve conflicts between farmers and herders in the state and as well improve agriculture. #NLTPAdamawa

— Kemisola Adekunle * (@KemisolaAdekun1) September 10, 2019

https://twitter.com/TomiwaAdesanya3/status/1171363324707201024

The Global Terrorism Index (GTI, 2018) attributed nearly 1,700 violent deaths between January and September to clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

The figure is six times the number the Boko Haram sect killed within that period.