FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
The Edo State chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), have put mechanisms in motion to stem the clash between crop farmers and herders in the state and instructed those desirous of raring their cattles in the state to wear AFAN approved uniforms and number their cows.
The chairman of Edo State chapter of AFAN, His Royal Highness Alhaji Bako Dogwo disclosed the measures at the inauguration of the Edo State chapter of the the Cattle Breeders and Dealers Association of Nigeria (CBDA) in Benin City on Wednesday, 24 May.
Alhaji Bako who noted that everyone is aware of the crisis between crop farmers and herders in Edo State pointed out that the setting up of Edo State chapter of the Cattle Breeders and Dealers Association is one of the measures AFAN have decided to put in place to stem the ugly tide and bring back the glorious days of friendship between crop farmers and herders.
“Through the inauguration of Cattle Breeders and Marketers body in Edo State today, we will embark in education to return our people back to good old days when Herder Crop Farmers were friends. As from today all cows in Edo State will be registered with this body following this inauguration and they will need the assistance of Authorities of the Federal, State and Local Governments to achieve the desired result.
“Herders’ activities will be closely monitored by this body and coordinated by AFAN, Edo State. There must be an end to cattle rustlers and all criminals who steal cows and destroy Farmers crops will no longer have their way in the state. Henceforth, all aggrieved persons which may include Herders or Crop Farmers must register their grievances with AFAN for amicable resolution of such problems. No one has right to kill any cow, beat any cow rarer or destroy any farm produce. Any cow rarer that wants to graze must wear AFAN Edo State stipulated uniform before they can operate here, both Edo indigenes and non indigenes”.
The president of the Cattle Breeders and Dealers Association of Nigeria CBDAN, Olusegun regretted the neglect of the cattle value chain in employment generation and contributions to the gross domestic product and called for the utilisation of modern technology in the breeding and marketing of cattles.
According to the CBDAN president, “This sector has suffered neglect by both government and the private sector.
“In our efforts to revamp and make the sector attractive to investors, breeders and marketers,we and like minds have decided to setup CBDAN with branches across all the geopolitical zones of this country. Today marks a landmark of our official inauguration of the Edo State Chapter.
“Let me remind us that the vision and mission of this noble Association is to upgrade cattle business value chain in Nigeria and contribute significantly to National development. .
He said, We cannot achieve our goals by using obsolete technologies and practices that have kept below our expected value socially and economically. We can achieve growth in the sector if we all embrace positive changes that will enhance the security of both the producers and citizens at large such as the adoption of modern technology in cattle production in the country.
In his remarks, the chairman of the Edo State chapter of Cattle Breeders and Dealers Association of Nigeria CBDAN, Alhaji Jibrin Muhammed assured of a rancour free working relationship of the members of the association and crop farmers in Edo State just as he promised that his members will adhere to AFAN guidelines in grazing.
In his remarks, the Functioning Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Sunday Erhumwonsere who also represented the Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu noted that the state government is very happy with the new unity in AFAN adding that Edo State government holds AFAN at high esteem as agricultural associations all over the world influence and contribute to government policies as it affects their members.
While stating Governor Godwin Obaseki s support to the livestock subsector in Edo State, the Functioning Permanent Secretary said, “The Governor has been supporting every aspect of livestock production and we thank the federal government for partnering with us in the area of increasing productivity in our animals; they gave us vaccines and the Director of Veternary Services have been going round to ensure all our animals are vaccinated”.
Speaking with Aljazirah Nigeria after the inauguration, a retired Deputy Commissioner of Prison now a farmer in the state, Chief A. O. Osayande enumerated the benefits derivable from the unity that AFAN members now enjoy in Edo State pointing out that farmers in the state can now enjoy some benefits from both the federal and state governments.
According to him, “We are going to have a very robust advantage in terms of getting what belongs to us either from the federal or state governments and it will also enhance our capacity to bring more farmers into the fold and with a lot of farmers coming together we’ll be able to achieve our goal. Our goal is make sure there’s food on the table of every Edo man”.