Nigeria’s Army Chief Pushes Ranching Policy to Combat Food Crisis
Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has called for immediate implementation of ranching as national policy to tackle the country’s escalating food insecurity crisis. The military leader’s advocacy highlights growing concerns about Nigeria’s agricultural challenges and food production shortfalls.
Oluyede’s proposal comes as Nigeria faces mounting pressure to address widespread hunger affecting millions of citizens across the nation. The country’s food security situation has deteriorated significantly in recent years, with traditional farming methods proving insufficient to meet population demands.
Ranching represents a structured approach to livestock management that could potentially boost protein production and create sustainable food systems. The practice involves raising cattle and other livestock in controlled environments rather than through traditional nomadic herding methods.
The Army Chief’s intervention signals military leadership’s recognition that food security poses a critical national security threat. Nigeria’s agricultural sector has struggled with various challenges including climate change, farmer-herder conflicts, and inadequate infrastructure.
Implementation of comprehensive ranching policies could address multiple issues simultaneously, including reducing land-use conflicts between farmers and herders while increasing meat and dairy production. The proposal requires significant government investment and policy coordination across multiple agencies.
Nigeria’s food crisis demands urgent action, with ranching potentially offering a viable solution to boost domestic food production and reduce dependence on imports.
