UNDERSTANDING THE CATTLE COLONIES

The idea behind the Cattle Colonies is to cater for the needs of cattle herders in terms of availability of resources to take care of their cattle while avoiding unnecessary clashes and tussles over economic resources such as land and water between them and farmers.

Cattle colonies are expected to be large expanses of land procured by the Federal Government, in collaboration with States (already 16 States have indicated interest in this), where water, grass and security would be provided to cattle herders who would in turn pay for rent and other services provided by the Government.

*WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CATTLE COLONY AND A RANCH?*

- A Cattle Colony is bigger in size than a Ranch, and caters for more cattle. A cattle colony can cater for as many as 40 ranchers.
- While a ranch is provided for by the Herders, a Colony is provided for by the Government who collect rent from the herders to use these facilities. The reason for this is that ranching is a Capital intensive venture and cannot be embarked on by rural subsistent low earning herders, if ranching were to be made compulsory, it would be hard for rural herdsmen to comply with it.
- In Cattle Colonies the Federal Government collaborates with the States to provide these lands (note that lands, by virtue of the Land Use Act are vested in the Governors of the State), water and security, while in ranches the herders have to provide this for themselves.


*BENEFITS OF HAVING CATTLE COLONIES*

- Safety of lives and property and a drastic reduction in farmers and herders clashes
- Cattle produce healthier beef when they are kept in colonies, and also produce more milk
- Farmers do not have to worry about the safety of their crops and thus more production is ensured for the farmers, which means more economic activity in the agriculture sector
- Cattle colonies would put a stop to cattle being rustled by thieves and terrorists
- It would become easier to identify criminals who either masquerade as herdsmen or are herdsmen who commit murderous crimes and destruction.

health In Nigeria

Nigeria should be an investor's delight with its abundant resources and large population. However the political situation in the country and the threats from the terrorist group makes it difficult for intending Ainvestors to take the plunge. However good knowledge of the country is very important. Several multi-national companies have been in Nigeria and continue to do business in Nigeria

The country has always had large American, British, French, Italian, Chinese, Turkish, Lebanese, Indian, Syrian and of recent South African Communities. There are also other nationals in large population in Nigeria. The return of democracy has revived foreign investment in Nigeria. In all the sectors from energy to telecoms, Information technology, manufacturing, Automobile and the health sector.

There is a lot of controversy in the oil and gas sector,it is a very complex sector to get into in Nigeria. Agriculture still remains a sector where you can't get it wrong in Nigeria.Food will always sell.There are several ways to get into agriculture in Nigeria viz

Farming In Nigeria

Nigeria should be an investor's delight with its abundant resources and large population. However the political situation in the country and the threats from the terrorist group makes it difficult for intending investors to take the plunge. However good knowledge of the country is very important. Several multi-national companies have been in Nigeria and continue to do business in Nigeria

The country has always had large American, British, French, Italian, Chinese, Turkish, Lebanese, Indian, Syrian and of recent South African Communities. There are also other nationals in large population in Nigeria. The return of democracy has revived foreign investment in Nigeria. In all the sectors from energy to telecoms, Information technology, manufacturing, Automobile and the health sector.

There is a lot of controversy in the oil and gas sector,it is a very complex sector to get into in Nigeria. Agriculture still remains a sector where you can't get it wrong in Nigeria.Food will always sell.There are several ways to get into agriculture in Nigeria viz;

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY: The Nigerian Population depends on cattle from the northern part of Nigeria and from countries that border the country to the north. This cattle are reared in the old Nomadic way, where the cattle has to be taken around even as far as to the southern part of the country to graze.

However the practices in other countries can be adopted here in Nigeria and in fact have been adopted. The case of the shonga farms in the north is an example.Where Namibian farmers were invited to Nigerian. They have since become a force to reckon with in the agricultural sector with the different groups of farmers which they have termed "syndicates". Some Governors in the northern part of the country have been looking outside, like some governors have been importing good breed of animals to be bred in their various states.

CROP FARMING: There are several crops being cultivated in Nigeria that are in high demand all over the world, e.g cassava, cashew and it's nuts, grape, oranges, mangos, walnuts, cocoa,bitter cola, teak trees for wood and so many others. Olam a produce processing company has been in Nigeria for some years,of recent they have invested In large scale rice cultivation and processing.