FG to convert 417 grazing reserves into mini-towns
* Project to tackle herder-farmer conflicts, improve livestock sector
* 417 reserves to get power, schools, clinics, markets
The Federal Government has announced plans to rehabilitate and transform the nation’s 417 grazing reserves into mini-towns equipped with modern infrastructure and social amenities.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, disclosed this during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to provide solar-powered grids to the grazing reserves as part of their rehabilitation and resettlement.
According to Maiha, the move is aimed at modernising livestock production, improving the welfare of pastoralists, and reducing herder-farmer conflicts.
He lamented that the reserves, which date back to the pre-independence era, had suffered years of abandonment and neglect, making pastoral migration unsustainable.
“Since coming on board, this ministry has had an extensive tour of the 417 grazing reserves across the country. We engaged pastoral communities, traditional rulers, and the business community. I have come to the realisation that pastoralism and nomadism as currently practised are no longer sustainable into the future due to climate change, acute competition for resources, and the growing size of the national herd,” the minister stated.
He explained that the government had developed a model tagged Renewed Hope Livestock Villages to revitalise the reserves.
Under the plan, each reserve will be provided with stable electricity, schools, healthcare centres, veterinary clinics, markets, abattoirs, water supply, irrigation facilities, communication services, road networks, feed production systems, and security.
“We will build earth dams and desilt existing ones to allow year-round cultivation of pasture. We will also put up primary schools for herders’ children, primary healthcare centres for families, veterinary services, and other facilities to improve quality of life and incentivise pastoralists to remain within the reserves.
“To energise these areas, we are not relying on the national grid. We reached an agreement with the Rural Electrification Agency to roll out solar grids, and today’s MoU marks a major milestone,” Maiha added.
The minister revealed that pilot projects will begin immediately in Wawazangi (Gombe State), Wasem (Plateau State), Gongoshin (Adamawa State), and Ka’u in Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory.
He further stressed that the intervention would not be limited to cattle herding, but extended to other livestock value chains, including piggery, sheep, and goat production.
“In fact, millions of pastoralists and animal keepers across the country will benefit. Even if you are not in a grazing reserve but operate livestock clusters on a large scale, we will work with state governments to ensure you are included,” he assured.
Maiha clarified that the rehabilitation of the 417 reserves would be implemented in phases, with lessons from the pilot schemes guiding the nationwide rollout.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of REA, Abba Aliyu, said the livestock sector provides a unique environment for the deployment of renewable energy infrastructure.
He explained: “We design programmes such as energising education, agriculture, and security. But when we studied the livestock sector, we saw the need to energise grazing reserves because they host multiple facilities — healthcare, schools, abattoirs, and markets.
“This partnership is more than a collaboration; it is a marriage of convenience to improve productivity and sustain rural communities with renewable energy.”
The Federal Government maintained that the transformation of the reserves would curb open grazing, de-escalate farmer-herder conflicts, and reposition Nigeria’s livestock sector for sustainable growth.