The Plateau State Association United Kingdom (PSA UK) has called on the Federal Government to suspend further implementation of the proposed National Ranching Policy and undertake broad-based consultations with affected communities and other stakeholders.
In a statement signed by its President, Dr. Solomon Chollom, the association expressed concern over what it described as the persistent pursuit of cattle-centric agricultural policies without adequate consideration of the security, land rights, livelihoods and experiences of affected communities, particularly in the Middle Belt.
PSA UK urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that national agricultural and livestock policies are balanced, inclusive and do not create the impression that the interests of one sector or group are being prioritised over those of other Nigerians.
The association also called on the Minister of Livestock Development, Mr Idi Mukhtar Maiha, to pause further implementation of the ranching policy and undertake comprehensive policy analysis, community engagement and assessment of its potential social, economic, environmental and security implications.
According to PSA UK, communities across the Middle Belt have endured years of violence, displacement and destruction of lives, homes, farms and livelihoods, making policies involving land for livestock production particularly sensitive.
“Changing the name of a policy does not automatically remove the fears of the people,” the association said, noting that previous initiatives including cattle colonies, RUGA and livestock settlements had generated significant concerns in affected communities.
PSA UK stressed that democratic governance requires consultation and meaningful participation, particularly where government policies have direct implications for land, security and livelihoods.
It argued that communities should not be portrayed as being opposed to agriculture or development simply because they demand transparency, consultation and protection of their rights.
The association also questioned what it described as the disproportionate emphasis on cattle, arguing that Nigeria’s agricultural potential extends to poultry, fisheries, crop production, potato and vegetable farming, tubers, cereals, food processing, irrigation and agricultural technology.
“Food security cannot be built around one sector alone,” PSA UK maintained, calling for equitable government support across the country’s major agricultural value chains.
It further urged the Federal Government to recognise regional differences and allow states and communities to participate actively in determining agricultural priorities based on their environment, expertise and comparative advantages.
The association warned that government interventions must not create an impression of preferential treatment for one category of agricultural enterprise while farmers in other sectors struggle to access land, finance, infrastructure, insurance, markets and technology.
PSA UK therefore called for the proposed National Ranching Policy to be subjected to a holistic and transparent review before implementation.
It urged the Federal Government to:
1. Engage directly with affected communities, farmers, traditional institutions and other relevant stakeholders.
2. Conduct transparent social, economic, environmental and security assessments.
3. Address the concerns of communities displaced by violence and develop credible rehabilitation and safe-return plans.
4. Respect constitutional and land rights as well as the dignity of all communities.
5. Develop a balanced agricultural policy supporting livestock alongside crops, poultry, fisheries and other critical value chains.
6. Ensure that agricultural policies do not become catalysts for conflict, suspicion or division.
PSA UK said Nigerians are not opposed to agriculture or development, but want to be heard, respected, consulted and protected.
“A government that listens before it acts will earn the trust of its people,” the association said, stressing that sustainable development must be built on justice, inclusion and community ownership.
The association therefore appealed to the Federal Government to pause, listen, engage and review, warning that development without justice and agriculture without inclusion cannot guarantee lasting peace.
