In a groundbreaking move aimed at resolving the persistent conflicts between farmers and herders in Nigeria, the National Agricultural Mechanisation Cooperative of Nigeria (NAMCON) has unveiled plans to establish ranches across all 774 local government areas of the country.

Speaking during a press briefing in Kaduna, NAMCON’s National President, Dr. Aliyu Waziri, outlined the initiative as part of a broader strategy to modernize livestock management, enhance agricultural value chains, and promote national food security.

Dr. Waziri highlighted that the proposed ranches would be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including mega dams, abundant animal feed resources, and modern farming tools, ensuring that herders and their livestock remain settled throughout the year without needing to migrate in search of water and grazing lands.

“These ranches will support farming activities in both the wet and dry seasons, which is vital for sustained food production. This initiative will not only curb farmer-herder conflicts but also create employment opportunities, reduce poverty, and strengthen Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves,” Waziri emphasized.

Beyond livestock management, the ranches will include essential infrastructure such as veterinary clinics, schools offering both western and Islamic education, and plantations of high-value crops like mangoes, guavas, and cashews.

Dr. Waziri noted that this initiative aligns with NAMCON’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector through mechanization and empowerment programs. He recalled the cooperative’s earlier success in November 2021, where over 15 million farmers, particularly women and youth, were trained and equipped for mechanized farming.

He urged the government to harness the immense untapped potential within Nigeria’s agricultural sector to combat unemployment and boost food security.

This ambitious plan by NAMCON represents a holistic approach to fostering harmony between farmers and herders, while simultaneously enhancing the nation’s agricultural productivity and economic growth.