STILL ON OPEN GRAZING

Open grazing is an old practice of roaming ruminant animals in open fields, plains and bushes in search of pasture or foliage.

ESTABLISHED FACTS

1. Cow is an animal same as goats, dogs, Rabbits, Pigs, Chicken, Snakes
2. To run a business, you either acquire or rent a location
3. Some business men big and small own these animals
4. Dog groomers have kernels in offices acquired or rented
5. Poultry owners have poultry locations acquired or rented
6. Piggery owners have locations acquired or rented
7. Sometimes, cattle rearers involved in open grazing, encroach into farms and eat up planted crops

The system in the last few years has triggered conflicts between host communities and migrant herders, leading to several deaths in many states across the country. Today I saw a post by MACBAN that Cows Will Cost ₦2 Million Each If Lagos Passes the Anti-Open Grazing Law.

While open grazing has been an age long practice, the ills it poses to the society became more evident recently. Farmers-Herder’s clash, Kidnapping, rape, murder etc.

Accusation and counter accusations are going on regarding this very sensitive issue. While some say it is a primitive way of business, others say banning it is targeted destroying their means of livelihood.

For me, we need to have an overview of this whole issue so that it can be resolved. Banning Open should come with viable alternatives so that the businesses don’t suffer much.

Some schools of thought are saying that since Pig and cows are all animals, opening grazing should be allowed for ALL ANIMALS… Chickens, Snakes, Dogs, Rats, Pigs etc. All should all be allowed wander about in search of food led by the rearer.

In a nutshell, Herders should be trained on modern grazing methods which are healthier, safe and profitable. Continuous pushing of the open grazing agenda comes with lot of suspicion