There is ample evidence that the sharp drop of about 50 per cent in the volume of cattle trade between the North and South of Nigeria is causing phenomenal dislocation not just in the economy, but also in the health of citizens resulting from inadequate consumption of meat. While the scenario is largely caused by insecurity (banditry), cattle rustling and conflicts between herders and farmers, all of which escalated over the past few years, what is more troubling are the weak and half-hearted measures the government has been embracing to supposedly address the situation, but which have invariably left the crisis to exacerbate. No doubt, things could get worse for the entire country unless the problem is addressed promptly.

Recently, a troubling report chronicled the existential threat faced by cattle traders, especially in the North-East consequent upon unabating insecurity, and the absence of alternatives like ranches in the wake of the ban on open grazing in some states, all of which are forcing cattle breeders to migrate to countries like Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Sudan, and Central Africa.

The subsequent decline in cattle trade between the North and South has raised significant concerns about its far-reaching consequences on both the economy and public health. This reduction not only jeopardises the livelihoods of countless farmers, herders and traders but also threatens the supply of quality beef in southern markets.

According to the report, which was carried out over months, and in 63 markets across the North-East, nearly 600 trailer-loads of cattle are transported to the South daily, with each trailer averagely carrying 42 cows, totalling 25,499 being railroaded to Abia, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Rivers, Anambra, and other southern states.

The report further reveals that Yobe State, which used to deliver 400 trailers (from 12 major cattle markets), now does only 223; Adamawa State, instead of the 300 trailers it used to deliver from 12 cattle markets now manages 200. From its four major markets, Borno State now sends 50 trailers daily instead of 100, while Gombe State’s contribution has dropped to 50 trailers from the over 80 it hitherto did from seven markets. Taraba State now manages to supply 40 trailers daily instead of 70, and Bauchi State now only boasts 10 trailers daily instead of the 40 that it did a few years back.

Worried stakeholders, including market officials, placed the blame at the doorstep of the government, which has shown incapacitation in protecting farmers, and herders against the onslaught of men of the underworld. However, the diminishing supply of cattle in southern markets has created an alarming shift in the availability of meat, a key component of the Nigerian diet. As prices soar beyond the reach of most, the nutritional balance of millions of Nigerians resident in the South hangs in the balance.

Meat consumption is not a luxury but a vital part of a balanced diet. The unavailability of affordable meat, particularly for the lower and middle-income segments of the population, could contribute to rising malnutrition and related health issues. Protein, which is partly derivable from meat, is a key factor in a healthy diet and living, helping to build and repair muscles and bones, as well as making hormones and enzymes. It can also be used as an energy source. In a country already grappling with a weak healthcare system, an unbalanced diet presents an urgent challenge.

The decline in cattle trade is also a significant blow to the country’s economy as the trade represents a crucial component of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians. From the cattle rearers in the North to the wholesalers, retailers, and small-time meat fryers in the South, the economic impact is far-reaching. These individuals depend on the cattle trade for their daily bread, and the reduction in cattle supplies has undermined their ability to earn a living. The loss of this crucial economic activity only exacerbates the difficulties for citizens, many of whom are already contending with unemployment and inflation.

Sadly, the Federal Government’s efforts to address the herder-farmer crisis and develop livestock production (through policies) as a critical sector of the country’s economy have been timid and largely fruitless. This much can be gleaned from the Rural Grazing Areas (RUGA) programme, which was introduced by President Muhammadu Buhari, but was roundly rejected by many state governments. Matters eventually got to a head when the government in July 2019, announced the suspension of the RUGA settlement programme for being inconsistent with the approved National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP).

While the Federal Government, until now appeared to be at its wits’ end regarding how to solve the nation’s livestock challenge, southern governors have been even less innovative. For instance, the Western Livestock Company created ranches in Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, and Osun states, where quality meat production was made to satisfy the people’s protein needs. One such ranch was the Imeko Cattle Ranch, in Ogun State, which spanned 4,000 hectares and had five dams. The Oke-Afo Cattle Ranch on its part occupied 12,000 hectares of land. The question today is: Where are these ranches?

Lagos with an estimated population of over 22 million, consumes an average of 10,000 cattle heads daily (with each cattle costing between N750,000 to over N1 million), meaning that well over N3 billion worth of cattle are consumed daily. With commensurate investment, the bulk of these monies can be retained in the state, and jobs created for residents, while their protein needs are also being met. Certainly, the country’s livestock sub-sector is inundated with challenges, hence the need to shore up commitment and political will to address climate change, farmers-herders conflicts, limited grazing areas, as well as, banditry.

Also, the newly created Ministry of Livestock Resources Development must evolve a holistic strategic plan that would reposition the sub-sector and swiftly move to tackle recurring crises before they spiral out of control. By studying the meat value chain practices of nations with thriving livestock industries, Nigeria can adopt best practices and tailor them to suit local conditions, while strategies such as promoting sustainable farming practices, enhancing animal health standards, and fostering public-private partnerships can contribute to the growth and resilience of the livestock sector.

While the creation of the ministry is positive, more emphasis needs to be placed on the promotion of improved breeding techniques to enhance the genetic quality of herds, leading to better quality beef; improved transportation and market infrastructure to reduce costs and enhance cattle trade efficiency; encourage cooperative societies among farmers for better bargaining power in markets, sharing resources, and improving production standards, as well as invest in research to develop disease-resistant cattle breeds and improve feed quality to enhance overall productivity.

Above all, the president and the 36 governors must resolve their differences and begin to adopt ranching, as a modern system of rearing cattle, to maximise the potential of the cattle trade and protect herders, their stock and farmers simultaneously. Only when this happens can Nigeria reap the huge benefits of health and economy that are so far undermined in the present reality. (The Guardian Editorial)