The Federal Government says it plans to establish ranches and modern Livestock Service Centres in Benue State as a major strategy to curb persistent farmer-herder conflicts and restore stability to rural communities.
This position was restated by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, during the inauguration of the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation at the Benue Peace Summit held in Makurdi on February 25, 2026. Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the minister acknowledged the deep pain and disruption caused by years of violent clashes.
“We acknowledge the immense pain and loss that the people of Benue have endured,” he said, noting that farmer-herder conflicts and insecurity have claimed lives, displaced families, and threatened the state’s reputation as the “Food Basket of the Nation.”
According to him, recurring violence linked to open grazing, cattle rustling, reprisals, and the breakdown of traditional dispute resolution mechanisms cannot be solved by temporary measures alone. He stressed that structural solutions rooted in economic collaboration are required. “What we are preaching today is that part of the mission of this Peace Commission is to stabilise the countryside through practical mechanisms and frameworks that transform livestock into a vehicle for prosperity, not conflict,” he said.
A key part of that plan is to move away from uncontrolled grazing and instead promote organised ranching systems supported by modern infrastructure. The minister disclosed that more than 13 livestock facilities across Benue, many built over four decades ago, are currently in disrepair. The Federal Government is ready to partner with the state under a Public-Private Partnership model to rehabilitate and modernise these facilities into fully functional Livestock Service Centres.
The facilities listed include the Yandev Pig Progeny Centre, small ruminant ranches, abandoned abattoirs, pasture development areas, and other livestock production assets. Once revived, they are expected to serve as structured hubs for breeding, processing, feed production, and animal health services.
Maiha described Benue as a land blessed with fertile soil but burdened by recurring violence. He said the livestock value chain presents opportunities to engage young people in productive work. “From pig breeding to small ruminant fattening, from modern abattoirs to feedlot estates and pasture cultivation, the value chain is vast,” he stated, adding that organised livestock development could create decent jobs and reduce tensions.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by Deputy Governor Sam Ode, said the Benue State Strategic Plan for Peace and Reconciliation (2026–2030) provides a homegrown framework for dialogue, justice, and early warning systems to prevent conflict. Development partners, including CARE International and International Organization for Migration, also called for sustained support to help stabilise affected communities and enable displaced persons to return home safely.
