Agriculture
Benue Kicks as FG Creates Herdsmen Settlements in 12 States
By Chris Gaga, Markurdi
The Federal Government yesterday said it has begun works on the establishment of “Ruga Settlements” for herdsmen in 12 pilot states nationwide.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alh.
Mohammadu Umar, made this known in an interview in Abuja with newsmen on the sidelines of a workshop on Regional Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and associated legislation in West Africa.He said the farm settlements when fully established would address the incessant clashes between Fulani cattle rearers and farmers.
Umar explained that the pilot programme had already commenced on a 31,000-hectare in Kotongora, Niger state.
According to him, the required facilities for a basic life and treatment of cattle are being provided to enhance productivity, even as he noted that the government would replicate the programme in selected states as work “is ongoing in the 12 pilot states”.
He said six settlements will be established in each of the pilot states.
Umar, who added that the centres would be expanded and adequately equipped, and assured the beneficiaries that government would do all that was necessary to enlighten the herdsmen on how the use of ranches could make cattle rearing more profitable.
He said the government would sensitise the herdsmen to the social and political benefits derivable from such settlements.
The permanent secretary explained that various spots would be established for the pastoralists to be able to milk their cows.
He also said dispensaries would be established to prevent the misuse of antibiotics.
The “Ruga Settlement” idea was an initiative of the National Economic Council (NEC) presented under the National Livestock Transformation Plan (2018-2027).
It was an initiative to stop the age-long herders-farmers crisis and to massively develop the livestock industry.
The initiative seeks to promote ranching as the way forward for cattle rearing in the country.
According to the permanent secretary, nomadic livestock production in Nigeria is facing major challenges and is at crossroads due to declining availability of pasture, overgrazing, and expanding fatal conflicts between pastoralists and crop farmers.
He said the impact on food and nutrition security as well as ”public safety and national security are huge and far-reaching, therefore government is bent on making the plan to work as it has commenced.
“Under the new plan, cattle herders are expected to be registered and recognise with cooperatives for the purpose of the ranching scheme.
“These cooperatives will then be able to get rental agreements for land from state governments and also benefit from ranch resources on several terms including loans, grants, and subsidies,’’ he said.
Mr Suffyan Koroma, Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) Country Representative, said the workshop was organised to prepare the organisation’s representatives and respective countries and regions to work out ways to tackle the impending dangers of AMR and AMU.
“This is because the misuse of antibiotics in agriculture contributes to the spread of AMR and also undermines the efficacy of veterinary and human medicines. FAO is set to provide support to governments and stakeholders to adopt measures to minimise the use of antimicrobial and reduce AMR,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, the Benue state government has kicked the purported plans by the Federal government to commence establishment of RUGA settlements in selected local governments of Benue state.
In a Press statement by Terver Akase, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Samuel Ortom, reiterated that Benue does not have the land for grazing reserves, grazing routes, cattle colonies or RUGA settlements, but accepted that the State only has land for the establishment of ranches.
Ruga which is said to mean ‘Fulani Settlement’ in some parts of the states across the country is a directive of the federal government being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture Abuja. It is said to be implemented in Otukpo, Tarka and Ukum LGs of Benue State.
The Statement reiterated the firm stand of governor Samuel Ortom against grazing reserves and other policies rather than ranching, noting that the state government was ready to support any one who is ready to establish ranching in the state.
It maintained that Benue people were totally against the federal government’s RUGA and would not accept any imposition of any policy bothering on animal’s husbandary in their lands.
“We find the approach of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture not only as a gross violation of the Ranching law but also as an insult to the sensibilities of the entire people of Benue State.
“It could be recalled that the people and government of Benue State rejected cattle colonies and still reject the policy in whichever robes it is disguised,” it reads.
The CPS explained the Governor’s resolve that ranching remains a lasting solution to the incessant herders and farmers crisis which the country ought to embrace.
“We wish to remind those pushing for Ruga settlements that the Constitution of the country gives states the right to make laws for the governance of their people. Any attempt to subvert such right is a direct attack on the Constitution. Those behind such a move are enemies of peace and progress.
“The Government of Benue State is willing to support cattle owners to establish ranches as stipulated by the law prohibiting open grazing.”
Meanwhile, the need to support the full implementation of the Anti Open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Law has been advocated as a stand point to possible return of peace in all communities of Benue State.
Also, the need for government to create jobs for the growing population of youths in the country so as to curtail youth involvement in cultisms and other crimes has been advocated.
These were the fallout of a one day Peace Architecture Dialogue (PAD) meeting on the theme; “Transforming the Farmer-herder Conflict and Promoting the Freedom of Religion and Belief in Nigeria’s Middle Belt” as organized by Search for Common Ground in Makurdi.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Orientation, James Agbo observed that if the Benue peoples open grazing prohibition law is faithfully obeyed as been implemented, peace will be inevitable in the state
Agbo encouraged the police and other security agencies to wake up to their responsibilities of ensuring that laws of the land are respected by all inhabitants, even as he urged ‘Search’ to take the sensitization to the rural areas too.
The Ter Makurdi, Chief Sule Abenga employed NGOs such as ‘Search’ to adopt the Anti Open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Law as a stand point to their peace crusade in Benue.
Chief Abenga expressed believe that the initiatives such as SEARCH would help sensitize the people and concerned agencies towards advancing peace in the society.
He challenged parents to see every youth as their wards by inculcating moral values especially when such wards are engaged in social vices.
The Chief assured of the cooperation of the traditional institution at ensuring that the NGO records success in their goals.
Representative of the Benue State Police Command, DCP Ibrahim Zakari, noted that for peace to be achieved, the causes of crisis must be highlighted and tackled accordingly.
He identified some of the causes to include increase in d country’s population, recklessness on the part of cattle rearers amongst other things.
In a presentation titled, “Distinction between Cultism and Miscreant Activities to Breach of Peace in the State”, representative of the DSS,
Benue Command, Austine Audu identified peer group influence, drug addiction, poor parenting, frustration and the like as major causes that endear youth to cultism and other vices.
Audu while commending the state open prohibition law, called on government to step up action in the creation of jobs so as to disenable the youth from constituting miscreants in the society.
He challenged the media to step up enlightenmenymt programmes on the need for peaceful coexistence, even as he called for reorientation of students in the tertiary institutions against social vices.
Some Stakeholders at the dialogue meeting including the Chairman of Miyethi Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria(MACBAN), Zakari Mohammed, representative of Benue State Planning Commission(BSPC), Mrs. Nambativ Helen, representative of the Benue State Vigilante Group, Dr Daniel Bo, AFAN and other stakeholders made various contributions bothering on the peace move.
Benue State Coordinator of ‘Search for Common Grounds’, Chorbe Joshua appreciated stakeholders for their various contributions at ensuring the possible return of peace, adding that the resolutions met at the meeting will enhance the next action plan of the organization.
Some residents in Lagos State have expressed concern over the recent surge in the price of tomatoes, forcing many households to adopt alternatives.
The residents made their views known in separate interviews on Wednesday in Lagos.
A market survey showed that a 50kg basket of tomatoes now sells between N115,000 and N125,000, compared to between N35,000 and N40,000 recorded last month.
Olachi Igwe, a resident of Ago Palace, said the scarcity and high cost of tomatoes had disrupted her household’s meal plans.
“I contacted my usual vendor, but she said tomatoes were scarce and difficult to source.
“A small bowl we used to buy for between N3,500 and N4,000 now sells for as high as N6,000 to N7,000, when available.
“For now, my family will resort to palm nut stew (ofe akwu) until prices stabilise,” she said.
Another resident, Mercy Okeleye of FESTAC, said although her family prefers fresh tomatoes, rising prices have forced her to consider cheaper options.
“I cannot do without fresh tomatoes because of the taste, but I may have to buy broken ones, popularly called ‘esha’, which are relatively cheaper.
“I do not consider tomato paste a suitable substitute because it is not purely made from tomatoes,” she said.
Also speaking, Tope Babalola from Dopemu, said she might adjust her cooking methods if prices remain high.
“I have not bought tomatoes in over a month, but if the price is still high, I will use more onions and peppers.
“I will not resort to artificial additives; I prefer natural ingredients for my meals,” she said.
Joan Ogugua, another resident, said she had already switched to tomato paste to cope with the situation.
“I asked my son to buy tomato paste for our meals. I cannot justify spending excessively on fresh tomatoes when other basic needs must be met,” she said.
Also, Oge Ugwu, a civil servant at Lekki, said she would resort to cucumber stew with the recent price hike.
The Tomatoes Growers and Processors Association of Nigeria (TOPAN) has predicted a steady increase in the price of the produce between May and June 2026.
The Kaduna State Chairman TOPAN, Rabiu Zuntu, disclosed this in an interview recently in Lagos.
Zuntu noted that although there is no particular time for tomatoes planting season up north, seasonal weather variations can affect the production of the produce.
“Although we can plant tomatoes all-year-round, we cannot assure quality harvest all-year-round.
“Some farmers are harvesting now, while others are transplanting, and others are harvesting.
“Tomatoes are still available for sale but the price of the produce is gradually on the increase.
“Come May/June, the prices of tomatoes will be very expensive, so now is a good time to stock up the produce. There’s always a scarcity within that period.
“This is because of the nature of the weather in the north around that period, the weather is usually very hot and tomatoes cannot resist such hot temperature,” he said.
Zuntu said the price of tomatoes have started rising up in the north.
“A 50kg rafia basket of tomatoes sells from N20,000 as against N7,000 to N10,000 that was sold earlier in the year.
“While a crate of tomatoes up north is sold between N10,000 and N15,000 as against N5,000 to N6,500 sold earlier in the year.
“In most part of Kano State, where there is bumper harvest, they are rounding off their harvest. So, tomato is not that available there and most buyers have turned to where they can find it now, mostly within Kaduna State and some parts of Plateau State.
“So, that’s why the supply has decreased and the tomato supply and cost is determined by the law of demand and supply,” he said.
A 50kg basket of tomatoes in Lagos, at the moment, sells between N40,000 and N60,000 depending on the size and quality.
The Smallholder Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), Oyo State chapter, has said that the lack of irrigation facilities had become a major obstacle to dry season farming in the state.
The Chairperson of SWOFON in Oyo State, Atinuke Akinbade, said this in an interview in Ibadan on Monday.
Akinbade, who shared the experiences of women farmers in the state during the 2025 dry season, said that inadequate access to water for irrigation significantly affected the performance of many farmers during the period.
“It hindered many older farmers from participating in dry season farming and also prevented younger farmers from doing as much as they could in cultivating large acres of land,” she said.
Akinbade explained that farmers who managed to plant during the season struggled to access sufficient water to irrigate their farms, a situation worsened by the effects of climate change.
“Many farmers who depended on streams and wells to water their crops suffered major setbacks because those sources could not provide enough water for irrigation.
“Some farmers had to resort to buying water from commercial water tankers, which increased the cost of production, while at times it was even difficult to get water from the tankers,” she said.
The SWOFON chairperson warned that failure to address the problem could worsen food insecurity in the coming months.
“Even now, rainy season farming has not fully commenced because of the irregular rainfall pattern.
“This is a double burden, and if nothing is done, it may lead to serious hunger later,” she said.
Akinbade, however, acknowledged that the government had organised training for members of the association on home gardening.
She, however, said that little support was provided to address the challenges of dry season farming.
The chairman said that the home garden support package given to members consisted mainly of seedlings and one sprayer.
“They gave us two packs each of maize and pepper seeds, with six seeds in each pack, as well as one sprayer, so that we can grow food for household consumption,” she said.
Earlier, Oluwatoyin Oyedeji, SWOFON Coordinator in Oyo East, explained the severe hardship members of the organisation experienced in sourcing water for irrigation.
“Many farmers are already counting their losses because water was not available to irrigate their farms.
“Those who depended on streams and brooks were badly affected because many of them dried up, while the few that still had water had so little that farmers had to dig deeper into the ground in search of more,” Oyedeji said.
In the same vein, the Women Leader for farmers in Saki East, Musiliu Ashiru, said the absence of irrigation facilities also hampered dry season farming in her area.
According to her, many farmers still engaged in dry season farming have had to pay for water to keep their crops alive.
“Many of them buy water from the dam here to irrigate their crops. It has not been easy for them this year,” Ashiru said.
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