SAN FRANCISCO, February 23, (THEWILL) – The Council of State, in its meeting on Thursday, endorsed $1 billion to boost agriculture and empower livestock farmers, as it also discussed issues on Fulani herdsmen, security and 2019 elections.
Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State, alongside Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and Willy Obiano of Anambra State, stated this while briefing State House correspondents after over six hours Council of State meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
It was revealed that the council recommended for approval the proposal by the federal government to increase funding for agricultural special programme from $200 million to $1 billion to be disbursed through the CBN’s Anchor Borrower and Cart Programmes, in order to encourage diversification of the economy and promote food security.
“Council advised that we improve on the funding on agriculture. That the paltry sum of $200 million when compared to what is being pumped into the oil sector is insignificant,” Amosun stated.
“Council recommended that at least about $1 billion be pumped into agriculture.
“Council noted how Nigeria moved the budget from about N4 trillion to now about N8 trillion. It also noted that when this President came in, he was jostling at a very deep position because oil had nosedived from $112 in 2014 and in 2016 it was $30.
“Council also appreciated the efforts of the ministers of agriculture and budget and national planning after their briefings, on the support they are giving to Mr. President and agreed they should continue in what they are doing.”
On his part, Badaru said the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, briefed the council on security situation across the country.
“On the security situation in the country, we received a very long brief from the national security adviser, ranging from Farmers/herdsmen clashes, Boko Haram, militancy in the Niger Delta, kidnapping and cattle rustling,” he said.
“Farmers/herdsmen clashes were discussed thoroughly and we learnt that this takes three dimensions. First is the real farmers/herdsmen clashes, where the normal herdsman moves around with his cattle and get into a farmer’s land and eats up his crops.
“In some situations, it’s pure banditry. Some of the pastoralists that are not herders, attack, steal and kidnap and that has to be defined as such. Some of them rustle cattles and move into the deep forests. And because of the thickness of the forests response are usually very difficult. That was also discussed today and solutions were proffered on how to get deep into the forests, to check those bandits that hide and continue to commit havoc.
“The third aspect usually classified as farmers/herdsmen clashes is also the settlers and indigenes clashes like in Southern Kaduna. Some migrant farmers or herders stay in an environment for a very long time and when you have such clashes, they are also classified as farmers/herdsmen classes.
“So we understand and acknowledge these three aspects and all have different approaches in solving the whole problem. And from the discussions today, a lot has been done, solutions have been proffered and the government believes solution is near.
“The Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, also presented a position on how to resolve the first part of the farmers/herdsmen clashes, that is the actual migrating herdsmen that pass through towns and farms, eats up crops in the farms and create a lot of problems.
“He proffered a lot of solutions ranging from those states that have already designated cattle routes, grazing reserves and activating the grazing reserves to ensure the farmers and herdsmen live in harmony.
“That is for those states that have the capabilities to do this. And in the states that do not have the capabilities to do this, ranching was proffered and the federal government has promised to support the states and indeed the Fulanis or the livestock producers to settle in one place and do businesses like it is done in the modern way.
“Already, Kaduna State has visited Denmark with some Fulani leaders, to study a kind of livestock production with the aim of establishing same in the country.”
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