The Facts About RUGA

Since the proposal for the establishment of Rural Grazing Area, RUGA, settlements across some states in the country by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the initiative has been greeted with a lot of reactions and allegations from Nigerians and the proposed states.

The plan according to reports is to try to put an end to the recurring conflict between herders and farmers.

Some of the reactions are allegations that the initiative is a ploy of the federal government to forcefully take over lands that belongs to these states for nomadic herders, thereby inheriting the lands.

Another allegation is that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration will use the RUGA initiative to push for the islamization of Nigeria.

Recall that the Benue State Government and several notable Southern and Middle Belt socio-political groups completely condemned the plan and called for it to be scrapped.

In the face of these allegations and more, what then are the facts about RUGA?

Facts About RUGA

According to a press statement dated June 30 and signed by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, RUGA seeks to settle animal farmers and herders in an organized place with provision of necessary and adequate basic amenities such as schools, hospitals, road networks, vet clinics, markets and manufacturing entities that will process and add value to meat and animal products.

FG Will Not Grab Land From States

There is no government plan to seize state land, colonize territory or impose RUGA on any part of the federation, adding that the programme is voluntary.

Only Interested States Will Participate 

Only states that show interested would participate in the scheme. Twelve states have so far applied to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and made lands available for the take-off of the scheme in their states.

Pilot States

The states where the pilot scheme will be carried out are Sokoto, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Kogi, Taraba, Katsina, Plateau, Kebbi, Zamfara and Niger.  FG said the pilot states are enough for the pilot scheme.

Conflict Reduction Between Farmers/Herders 

RUGA according to the statement will benefit the nation through drastic reduction in conflicts between herders and farmers, as well as boost animal protection complete with a value chain that will increase the quality and hygiene of livestock in terms of beef and milk production, increased quality of feeding and access to animal care and private sector participation in commercial pasture production by way of investments.

Job Creation/Access To Credit Facilities, Others

The statement further disclosed that the other gains of RUGA are job creation, access to credit facilities, security for pastoral families and curtailment of cattle rustling.