By Francis Akinnodi

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The Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu said the future of Nigeria is dependent on agriculture.
He said this at the closing of a 5-day training programme for pastoralists in the state.
The event, which was organised by Ondo State Agricbusiness Empowerment Centre(OSAEC) in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) trained and certified 150 pastoralists in Cattle, Sheep and Goat Value-Chain business with special emphasis on feedlot operational system.
Akeredolu, who was represented by the Head of Service, Pastor John Adeyemo said his administration thought it would be important to revamp and reintroduce feedlots which was a variant of ranching.
The governor urged participants to think more on opportunities they would benefit in the entire value chain of agriculture.
Akeredolu said it was another milestone geared towards creating jobs,ensuring food security, and promoting peaceful coexistence among inhabitants of the state through eradication of farmers/herders clashes.
“It is an indisputable fact that the culture of moving large herds of cattle from one part of the country to the other is archaic and has in recent years been unbeneficial especially as it has become a threat to national security, cohesion and food security.
It is with sense of pride that I say my administration thought it expedient to revamp and reintroduce ranching with support and collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.
” Feedlot Operational System is a variant of ranching where our livestock are being confined so as to militate against myriads of problems associated with open grazing of cattle,” he said.
The Chairman of OSAEC, Pastor Akin Olotu admonished participants to adopt and practice the feedlot system of rearing animals as it would improve productivity and profit the farmers.
“You will agree with me the open grazing has become problematic in the country and people are complaining. Herders are Nigerians, they can move around, and farmers are equally Nigerians entitled to farm and we have to put an end to the conflict.
“We have discovered the way out? and we noticed that these people are not being trained or being exposed to modern ways of doing it and we expect the (Miyetti Allah) National Association to champion a course like this across the country.
“This is why we are working with Miyetti Allah in the state, they are not our enemies, we are friends , this is the method of doing it and we are partnering with FAO with different languages,” he said.
The Ondo State Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association,Mr Ahmed Danna said the training was a welcome development for the association.
Danna said with technology, the meat production and profitability for them would increase.