By Abdullahi Idris, Bauchi The Chairman Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) Bauchi State Sadiq Ahmed has urged ...
By Abdullahi Idris, Bauchi
The Chairman Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) Bauchi State Sadiq Ahmed has urged the government to provide loans and fertilizer to pastoralists and farmers to earn their livelihood.
Ibrahim stated this in an interactive session with Journalists on Thursday in Bauchi, saying the only palliative that would ameliorate this hardship is to provide loans and fertilizer to pastoralists and farmers.
He said the government have good policies and good intentions but the implementation become a serious national issue
"Our governments should provide sustainable palliative to farmers and herders such as fertilizer, hybrid cattle, modern grazing systems for cattle and enabling environment to operate.
"To also provide loans for pastoralists dealers, rearers and vendors to become self-reliant, this will go along in cushioning the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
"We also need support from the government to enhance our cattle breeding business and farming," he said.
Ibrahim urged his members to remain focused, up and doing as well as stay in one place to rear their cattle and stop moving from one place to another.
He decreed that the removal of fuel subsidies and increase in the price of petroleum has forced cattle supply in markets to drop in the State.
The Chairman said pastoralists also move from one place to another to buy and sell cattle as a means of their livelihood.
"There is a low supply of cattle in the market because the dealers and rearers complain of hikes in fare so they operate at a loss.
"Shortage of cattle supply in markets and low patronage is affecting the business of pastoralists in the state," he said.
Ibrahim reiterated that people don't care about meat but food to eat, so therefore meat is no longer a necessity.
Ibrahim said the breeding of cattle has reduced because of hikes in transportation fares and security challenges
"Pastoralists are not different from any other citizens they buy food, travel around pay for services among others. They are also experiencing hardship" he said
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