Livestock farmers in Yobe, on Thursday said the animal-friendly policies introduced by the state government has reduced the migration of herdsmen to other parts of the country in search of grazing areas.
The livestock farmers made the remark in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu.
The farmers, who attended a two day sensitization programme organized by the state Pilot Livestock Development Programme, said additional avenues should be explored to further develop livestock farming in the state.
Alhaji Mamadu Adamu, a renowned cattle farmer in Tarmuwa Local Government, said the provision of feeds and health facilities has reduced the scale of migration by herders in the state.
“The wheat offal food supplement provided by government to livestock farmers in the last years had improved animal feeds.
“I have personally stopped my herds from migrating to other parts of the country because of the new policies and the peaceful coexistence we have with farmers in the state.
“Many herdsmen have not moved out of the state this year after the rainy season; government should strive to protect the cattle routes and grazing reserves to avoid encroachments by farmers” he said.
Musa Kallamu, another farmer, said: “with peace recorded in the state, we will take our animals to the grazing reserves provided by the state government.”
Usman Umaru, a farmer from Fune Local Government, urged the government to expand the provision of food supplements, water facilities and vaccination programmes to every cattle farmer in the state.
He appealed to grazers and farming communities to respect demarcated reserves and routes, and avoid trespassing on farmlands and grazing areas.
Alhaji Mustapha Gajerima, the Commissioner for Agriculture, disclosed that the government had vaccinated about six million herds of cattle, sheep, goats, and dogs across the state.
“Yobe government has constructed dams, ponds, water troughs and wells to provide the animals with adequate drinking water,” he added.
Dr Mustapha Gaidam, Manager, Yobe Pilot Livestock Development Programme, also said the state has 28 grazing reserves out of which 16 have been gazette.
He disclosed that the state government has demarcated 1, 560 kilometers of cattle routes from 2007 to date. (NAN)
