The Nigerian Federal Government has officially announced Kwara State as the pilot location for the national ranching policy aimed at revitalizing the country's livestock sector. During a stakeholders’ meeting in Ilorin, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, highlighted the importance of this initiative in boosting productivity and addressing ongoing conflicts between farmers and herders. The ranching policy seeks to modernize livestock management practices and provide comprehensive solutions to the challenges faced by nomadic herdsmen in Nigeria.

Minister Maiha expressed confidence that the pilot program in Kwara will demonstrate how nomadic communities can be settled into more stable agricultural practices through the establishment of ranches. The initiative aims to construct the necessary infrastructure to enable these communities to remain in one place, which is expected to enhance productivity while reducing tensions that often arise due to competition over land and resources. Maiha assured stakeholders that the upcoming implementation will illustrate the viability of the ranching model in addressing these pressing issues.

Moreover, discussions are underway with the Kwara State Government about the establishment of feedlots, indicative of a larger strategy to support livestock farmers. These feedlots will help coordinate livestock production and improve overall meat quality in the region. The Federal Government's focus on Kwara as the starting point for this national policy suggests a strategic approach that could potentially be replicated in other states, provided the pilot proves successful in transforming the livestock industry and fostering harmony between agricultural stakeholders.