The Middle Belt Forum has rejected any plan to allocate land in the region for cattle ranching, expressing concern over proposals that could affect the interests, land rights and livelihoods of communities across the Middle Belt.
The group maintained that decisions involving land allocation must take into consideration the views and interests of the communities directly affected. It argued that land remains an important resource for many people in the region, particularly farmers whose livelihoods depend heavily on access to agricultural land.
The forum’s position comes amid renewed discussions over how Nigeria can address the longstanding challenges associated with cattle production, farmer herder conflicts and the movement of livestock across communities...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Supporters of ranching have argued that establishing dedicated ranches could help reduce clashes between farmers and herders by providing controlled locations for cattle rearing. However, the Middle Belt Forum has raised concerns about how such ranches would be established and who would bear the consequences of land allocation.
The group reportedly stressed that land belonging to communities should not be appropriated or allocated without adequate consultation with the people concerned. It also called for transparency in any government policy involving land acquisition or redistribution.
For communities that depend on farming, access to land is closely connected to food production, employment and household income. Any policy that reduces available agricultural land could therefore generate significant concerns among residents.
The disagreement also highlights the broader national debate over the most effective way to manage Nigeria’s livestock sector. While some stakeholders favour ranching as a long term solution to farmer herder conflicts, others insist that the rights of host communities must remain central to any such policy.
The Middle Belt Forum urged authorities to engage with relevant communities and stakeholders before taking decisions that could have lasting consequences for the region.
The group also emphasised the importance of peaceful dialogue in resolving disputes over land and livestock management, warning that policies perceived as being imposed without consultation could deepen existing tensions.
The controversy underscores the complexity of Nigeria’s land and livestock challenges, particularly in areas where farming communities and pastoralists depend on the same resources.
As discussions continue, stakeholders are expected to focus on solutions that can improve livestock production while protecting farmers, respecting community land rights and promoting peaceful coexistence.
The Middle Belt Forum’s opposition has therefore added another voice to the growing national conversation about ranching, land ownership and the need for inclusive policies that take the concerns of affected communities into account.
