By Amos Aar
THE MEMBER representing Gwer East/Gwer West federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Asema Achado, has strongly opposed the reported plan by the Benue State Government to allegedly cede the Livestock Breeding and Investigation Centre in Raav located in Gwer East LGA, to the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) for a structured livestock management system.
The proposed initiative, which involves cultivating fodder for cattle on 500 hectares of land, has drawn sharp criticism from Dr. Achado, who insists that the state should instead focus on boosting agricultural production through mechanised farming and land development schemes.
The lawmaker, in a statement through his media aide, Manasseh Mendah, also called on the state government to prioritise security, particularly addressing the persistent attacks by herdsmen that have resulted in deaths and the destruction of farmlands.
Achado warned that open grazing continues to devastate rural communities and questioned why the government appears to prioritise livestock development over the livelihoods of its people.
He urged full implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law to curb the influx of herders and mitigate further violence.
Achado commended the Masev Development Association (MASDA), led by Prof. Iorshase Agaji, for rejecting the proposed takeover of the Raav Ranch by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
He argued that allocating 500 hectares of land for fodder production diverts critical agricultural resources away from food crops at a time when food security remains a pressing national issue.
He also raised concerns over potential ecological and health risks associated with large-scale fodder farming, such as pesticide and chemical contamination.
“The Benue State Government should be investing in improving crop yields, mechanisation, and rural infrastructure rather than channeling resources toward cattle feeding. This initiative is misplaced and does not align with the interests of the people,” he asserted.
Achado’s resistance came days after the Director General of the Bureau of Livestock Development and Transboundary Animal Diseases Control, Dr. Aondoakaa Asambe, clarified on Sunday that the Livestock Breeding and Investigation Centre in Raav remains fully owned and managed by the Benue State Government.
He emphasised that the planned fodder production project is solely for improving livestock feed capacity and does not equate to establishing a ranch. The FGN’s role, he added, is limited to providing support through seedlings and technical expertise.
Despite these clarifications, opposition to the project continues to mount, with many stakeholders and some Benue masses questioning the long-term implications of the initiative on local farmers and food production in Benue State.
