“…Avoid Farm Destruction and Boundary Violations” – Gombe L-PRES Coordinator Warns Pastoralists

The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Socio-Cultural Association of Nigeria has praised Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON (Dan Majen Gombe), for his transformative investments and sweeping reforms in the livestock sector, describing the initiatives as lifesaving measures that have shielded pastoralists from significant hardship and losses.

The commendation came during a courtesy visit by the association to the Gombe State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project Coordination office in Gombe.

In his remarks, the State Project Coordinator of Gombe L-PRES, Professor Usman Bello Abubakar, urged pastoralists and livestock owners in the state to remain law-abiding, foster peaceful coexistence with crop farmers, and appreciate the ongoing multimillion-naira investments by the State Government in the livestock sector.

Professor Abubakar attributed the project’s major successes to the visionary leadership and commitment of Governor Inuwa Yahaya. He noted that the Governor’s decisive investments in the livestock value chain have transformed the sector, positioning Gombe as a model in livestock productivity, animal health, artificial insemination, and pastoral development.

Highlighting some of the urgent challenges identified at the inception of the project, Professor Abubakar mentioned severe water scarcity, encroachment of grazing reserves and cattle routes, and low productivity caused by traditional livestock practices.

To address these challenges, the project has constructed over 100 solar-powered boreholes and earth dams, resurveyed and remapped eight cattle routes and 37 grazing reserves, and imported exotic cattle semen from Brazil for artificial insemination, benefiting more than 2,000 cattle.

He further disclosed that 55 pastoral cooperative societies have been established across livestock clusters, each with a milk collection centre, while plans for an ultramodern milk processing plant in the state capital are underway.

Professor Abubakar appealed to the association’s leadership to intensify awareness campaigns among pastoralists, urging them to maintain harmony and avoid farm destruction or boundary violations.

“The government is making substantial investments to improve livestock productivity and the livelihoods of pastoralists. We must reciprocate by obeying laws, respecting farmlands, and ensuring peaceful coexistence,” he said.

He stressed that no society can develop amid conflict, emphasizing that peace remains central to Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s vision for the agricultural sector and the overall development of the state.

“We call on our pastoralist brothers and the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore to educate members: avoid destroying farms, respect demarcated routes and reserves, and abide by the law. Without peace and compliance, development cannot take root,” he added.

Earlier, the State Chairman of the Association, Dr. Ardo Chindo Abubakar, commended the L-PRES Project for its direct impact on pastoralists, particularly the annual vaccination campaigns conducted in collaboration with the Gombe State Government, which have reduced livestock diseases and enhanced productivity.

He also praised the provision of water facilities, including solar-powered boreholes, and acknowledged the Artificial Insemination Programme, which has benefited about 148 cattle belonging to members and will soon begin calving.

Ardo Chindo appealed for continued collaboration and additional facilities such as schools and more boreholes to further support pastoral communities.

Also speaking, the North-East Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Nasiru Liman Jalbu, conveyed appreciation on behalf of the National Chairman of the Association, Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for the numerous livestock development initiatives benefiting pastoralists in the state.

“On behalf of the National Chairman, and all pastoralists in the North-East, we express our heartfelt gratitude to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his visionary investments in livestock development.

His commitment has not only transformed the sector but also strengthened peace and harmony between pastoralists and farmers, laying a solid foundation for sustainable growth in our communities.”