The Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, on Friday urged the Federal Government to ban open grazing in the country.
The governor made the call when he declared open the Benue Livestock Summit 2025 in Makurdi.
He argued that ranches remained the only reasonable animal husbandry worldwide.
The governor urged the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, to champion the legislation that would prohibit open grazing in the country and promote ranches.
Alia said the government planned to integrate Benue into the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project to bridge existing gaps in livestock infrastructure.
He said: “I also wish to reaffirm our administration’s commitment to the Prohibition of Open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Law 2017 (as amended).
“I hope that the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development will take the lead in national legislative reforms to prohibit open grazing and promote ranch establishment nationwide.
“This maiden Benue Livestock Summit marks the formal launch of a strategic partnership between Benue State, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, and global livestock stakeholders.”
The governor expressed regret that for years, agriculture in Benue was overwhelmingly dominated by crop production, relegating livestock development to the background.
“Furthermore, while we focus on diversifying the entire livestock value chain, we seek the honourable minister’s support in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Benue’s pig industry.
“Given our economic, cultural, and social advantages, this value chain holds tremendous potential.
“Currently, our administration is expanding arable lands and cultivating crops that serve as raw feeds, fodder, or processed livestock feed. We believe this summit will significantly enrich our ongoing efforts in promoting livestock development.
“The state government looks forward to implementing the resolutions and communique that will emerge from this gathering,” Alia added.