Driven by the quest to quell farmers /herders clashes as one of the security concerns in Nigeria, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Bauchi State has given a nod to the modern system of herding.
Sadiq Ibrahim Ahmad, Chairman of the Association in Bauchi gave this hint in an interview with our correspondent.
He maintained that apart from being caught up with development and other factors, Fulanis in Nigeria will better lots if they come to terms with the need for a modern grazing system.
He said, “The population has become very high and land remains static, all the grazing areas and cattle routes are no longer there.
“The lives and properties of Fulani herders are no longer safe from moving from one place to the other, so the safest way is to go into the modern system of herding by keeping the animals in one place and feeding them”.
The State Miyetti Allah Chairman faulted the approach of the Southern Governors on the open grazing ban, saying it needs time and orientation to resonate with the herders.
He insisted however that this mechanised grazing system must be test-run to evaluate its efficacy to help the majority of Fulanis understand better the system, which he says will be of high advantage to them.
“You see because of the traditional nomadic lifestyle of an average Fulani man, it will take adequate sensitisation by us their leaders to believe that the modern system will be better than the traditional one.
“So, after explaining it, there is need to have a test-run of this style using some areas or states for one or two years when this is done and it yields good results, they will now clearly see the need to embrace it”, he added.
Sadiq Ahmad said the herders must be to ask questions regarding the modern system, criticise it and voice out why they probably object so that bearing in mind their fears can properly be doused.
“Before doing this, the government should call these Fulanis as stakeholders and tell them this is what we want to do through their leaders how do you see it?
“No matter how you think they are aware, those people closer to the herders know them better, and they know the best approach to introducing to them a concept like mechanised grazing system”, he opined.
