Francis Sardauna in Katsina
The Katsina State Government yesterday disclosed that it would raise N12 billion to establish ranches in the deadly Rugu forest with the support of the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Finance
The state government added that the establishment of the ranches “is part of measures to stave off further violent altercation between pastoralists and farmers in the state.”
The state governor, Alhaji Aminu Masari disclosed this plan in an exclusive interview with THISDAY yesterday.
He explained that the establishment of ranches in the forest would tackle the endless roaming of herders and their cattle across the country as well as other security challenges confronting Katsina state.
THISDAY reports that Rugu forest popularly known as Dajin Rugu is a thick forest stretching from Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, passing through Katsina State, and ending in Zamfara State.
Thirty years ago, the famous forest was a home to wild animals, such as lions, elephants, hyenas, gorillas and zebras, among other wild animals, which make the forest a beautiful tourist site, but it is now said to be one of the strong bandits’ enclaves.
During the interview, Masari said the only solution to the herdsmen and farmers crisis bedeviling some parts of the country is the establishment of ranches in states, adding that the ranching system would also checkmate influx of foreign herders in the state.
He explained that the state government would do the needful to enlighten herdsmen on how to make cattle rearing more profitable by utilizing the ranches and reap other social and political benefits that such settlements would offer for them.
Masari said: “We are working with the federal ministries of agriculture and finance and we are raising money about N12 billion where we will develop ranches around Daji Rugu and in some parts of Funtua and Daura zones of the state”.
