As part of the efforts to curb the menace of Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the state, the minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbhe has disclosed that the Federal government is ready to create cattle ranches in the Southwest and other parts of the country.

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According to Audu Ogbhe, the development was to address the fulani and farmer crisis as well as ensure adequate provision of meat for the populace.

Speaking in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital at the flag off of his two day working visit to the state, the minister said the present administration is not satisfy with the importation of agricultural products into the country.

The two days working visit which will take the minister and his team to various agricultural institutes and other places across Oyo state commenced with a courtesy visit to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, at the state house.

Ogbeh who decried the rate of importation of agricultural products which could be produced locally, said the Buhari-led administration has put in place necessary measures to address the situation.

On the exportation of yam which was flagged off few days ago, the minister said Nigeria remains the biggest producer of yam in the Africa sub region. He noted that the move will in no way cause scarcity of the product, as government is ready to help farmers who want to venture into yam cultivation.

Governor Abiola welcomed the initiative of the minister and his team for their decision to visit the state, adding that the level of decay in some of the farm settlements and other agricultural institutes in the state is worrisome.

The Minister is already on a tour of some agricultural facilities across the state with members of his team being led by officials of the state government.

 

Reports by Kunle Ojo