Fulani leaders have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to earmark 30 percent of Nigeria’s agricultural budget for the livestock ministry and to establish pilot ranches in six designated zones across the country.
The group’s demand seeks a substantial increase in funding for the ministry that oversees livestock development, arguing that a larger share of the national farm budget would better support pastoral communities and improve animal husbandry practices.
In addition to the budgetary request, the leaders are urging the government to launch pilot ranch projects in six zones, though the specific locations have not been disclosed. The pilot ranches are intended to serve as models for modern livestock management and to address challenges faced by nomadic herders.
The Fulani, who constitute a significant pastoralist population in Nigeria, have long advocated for greater investment in the livestock sector, which contributes to food security and rural livelihoods. Nigeria’s agriculture sector, a key component of the economy, has historically allocated a smaller proportion of its budget to livestock compared with crop production.
No official response from the presidency or the Ministry of Agriculture has been reported at the time of this writing.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
