As part of the intervention and implementation to mitigate conflicts and food security, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development commenced the National Pasture Development Programme. The essence of the programme is to bridge the gap in the production system and curb incessant conflict between the pastoralists and crop farmers along their routes. The intervention is also to educate pastoralists, cattle breeders, other interested farmers and private organizations on the benefits of planting pasture for their livestock for commercial purposes.

The programme was inaugurated at the FCT Grazing Reserve Paikon Kore, Gwagwalada Area Council of Abuja on 28th June 2022 by the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar.

The overall objectives of the NAPDEP are to:

  1. Provide enabling environment and support for sustainable all-year-round pasture production.
  2. Encourage private entrepreneurs to venture into commercial pasture/fodder production.
  3. Training and capacity building on pasture production processing and marketing.
  4. Promote sedentarization, and ensure adequate feed and water.
  5. Promote peaceful co-existence between crop and livestock farms.

The Director, of Animal Husbandry Services Mrs Winnie Lai-Solarin, led the dignitaries to the spot where the items to be presented to the selected beneficiaries were kept and thereafter items were distributed.

Items distributed include Tricycles, organic fertilizers and pasture seeds such as Stylosanthes guianensis, Brachiaria decumbens, Andropogon and Napier grass stem cuttings to both livestock and crop producers as beneficiaries of the intervention.

The highlight of the flag-off programme is the symbolic planting of the pasture seeds on the demonstration plots by the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and the presentation of items.

Alh.  Muhammad Ali Baba, President of NAPLIFPMON gave a vote of thanks on behalf of the beneficiaries. He commended the Ministry for the impressive project which will positively impact the livelihood of the farmers and the economy of Nigeria at large.

The flag ceremony came to a close with closing remarks presented by the Director, of Animal Husbandry Services Mrs Winnie Lai-Solarin who appreciated everyone present at the flag-off ceremony and gave an assurance of more interventions to come, then solicit the cooperation of relevant stakeholders to uplift the livestock sub-sector for the benefit of all Nigerians.