KEY POINTS

• The Benue State Government will conduct a livestock census to prevent farmer−herder clashes and cattle rustling.
• It will tag animals and registered, improving traceability and reducing livestock related crimes.
• Abattoirs upgrade, and registering livestock farmers to boost local production and economic growth.

To know the animals and their owners in the state, Benue State Government has revealed plans to carry out a comprehensive livestock census.

The move forms part of government’s broader strategy aimed to tackle recurring farmer-herder clashes, check cattle rustling and boost the state’s beleaguered livestock industry.

Dr Aondoaka Asambe, Principal Special Assistant to the State governor on Livestock development and transboundary animal disease control, made the announcement during an inspection of abattoirs and livestock markets in Makurdi.

Monitoring livestock through the census

Dr. Asambe said that the livestock census will introduce a tagging system for animals so that the authorities can tag the animals and link them to their owners. This not only will prevent cattle rustling, lessen criminal activity and also improve traceability.

Dr. Asambe explained: “Conducting a livestock census yields benefits.” “One is that it will help to control the recurrent clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the state.” It will as well curb cattle rustling.

After the census is complete, animals will be tagged and further easy to trace back to their owners.”

The tagging system, he said, would also apply to animals at abattoirs in the fight against crime in the livestock sector. That too settles with the state government’s ambition to soothe the friction between the farmers and the herders that has always led to violence resulting in loss of livelihoods.

Abattoir reform assures livestock registration in the pipeline

In line with its broad livestock development agenda, the Benue State government intends to register livestock farmers, hatcheries and feed mills to serve local consumption.

The government will also revitalize livestock establishments and improve production through the introduction of improved livestock breeds, said Asambe.

The government’s long-term goal is to modernize livestock production, considering it a vital agent for the state’s economic development.

Dr. Asambe stated that the administration is committed to revitalizing the livestock industry to strengthen its role in the state’s economy.

Dr. Asambe further inspected abattoirs in Makurdi which he said are in a poor state. He said the abattoirs are not meeting the minimum set standards for slaughterhouses as there is inadequate potable water, poor road access, insufficent hygiene and other attendant challenges.

Meat sellers demand better government support

Reacting to the government’s plans, the Meat Shop Owners Association Chairman, Makurdi branch, Mr. Austin Ugwu called on the government to create a more enabling environment for their businesses.

He also underlined the necessity of better access to markets, improved infrastructure, clean water supply that will support their operations.

The Benue State Government regards its livestock census and initiatives as an attempt to restore peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders, while also enriching Benue’s economy through a regulated grazing system.