FG Unveils Bold Plan: 500 Hectares Cleared for Ranching, Dairy Boom in Benue

By Achimi Muktar

In a strategic move to revamp Nigeria’s livestock sector, the Federal Government (FG) has announced plans to clear 500 hectares of land in Benue State for ranching and dairy production.

The initiative, unveiled by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, during a visit to the Benue Livestock Investigation and Breeding Centre in Gwer East, is part of a larger plan to transform the state's agricultural landscape.

“We aim to establish two major enterprises here—one for dairy production and another for ranching. The centre already has 2,400 hectares of land, and we will begin by clearing 500 hectares to plant pasture before the rains arrive,” Maiha stated.

The minister expressed concern over the poor state of the centre, noting that despite its vast land resources, it currently houses only 37 animals, with dilapidated facilities in urgent need of rehabilitation.

To ensure long-term sustainability, a special committee will be set up to oversee the project and propose essential infrastructure, including pens, isolation centers, maternity pens, dips, housing, and chalets.

Academic Collaboration and Security Concerns

Maiha also revealed that the project would be backed by Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, for research purposes, ensuring that scientific best practices drive the initiative.

Meanwhile, Dr. Aondoakaa Asambe, Director-General of the Benue Bureau for Livestock Development, applauded the move, stating that it aligns with the state government’s vision of addressing security concerns related to open grazing.

“We believe ranching will help resolve security challenges and allow displaced farmers to return to their ancestral lands,” Asambe emphasized.

A Step Toward Economic Transformation

The Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, has reportedly thrown his weight behind the initiative, seeing it as a critical step toward building a self-sustaining livestock industry with immense economic benefits.

As part of his visit, Minister Maiha also toured the Benue Swine and Crop Improvement Project in Gboko and the International Cattle Market in Makurdi, reinforcing the FG’s broader commitment to livestock development.

With ranching and dairy farming gaining traction as alternatives to open grazing, this initiative could mark the beginning of a livestock revolution in Benue and beyond.