NASARAWA: MODEL RANCHING HUB INAUGURATED IN AWE LG BY, PRESIDENT BUHARI

By: Willy Punvwet (Lafia),

A Model Ranching hub project under the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) has been inaugurated by the Federal Government in Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State

In a message at the occasion Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari explained that, the program being a pilot scheme is expected to be replicated in states that have indicated interest.

Represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Muhammad-Nanono, President Buhari explained that, “his administration has initiated the NLTP, as a means of developing the livestock sub-sector that was hitherto neglected by past regimes”.

He expressed optimism that, the program would succeed at the end of the day thereby reducing the increasing farmers/herders clashes and other criminality in the country.

He disclosed that, “the ranching project in Awe LGA of Nasarawa State, would be on a 22,000 hectares”.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agriculture and National Coordinator of NLTP, Dr. Andrew Kwasari, stated that, the 360 households in Awe LGA were captured in the project.

He said, “Government would provide technical assistance to the herders and the needed facilities befitting of a modern ranching system”.

In his speech at the occasion, Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule said, the reason that made his administration keyed into the initiative of the FG is as a result of his great desire nip in the bud the current farmers and herders crises.

He also noted that, “the program would further assist in addressing the crisis in Nasarawa/Benue borders”.

The Governor appealed to the Federal Government to ensure that, the program is inaugurated in all the states that have indicated interest.

Responding on behalf of the herders, Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria Bala Dabo,  thanked, President Buhari and the Nasarawa State Government for making the project a reality.

The occasion was witnessed by the Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, Ministers, Traditional rulers from the state, top  government functionaries, herders among others too numerous to mention.