Is creation of Nigeria's livestock ministry viable option?

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has recently announced the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development as part of efforts to address the lingering clashes between pastoralists and farmers in the country. This move comes amidst a food crisis that has been exacerbated by various factors, leading the government to introduce a 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities as a short-term strategy. To delve deeper into the implications of these developments and Nigeria's journey to food security, Kola Masha, CEO of Babban Gona, provided insights in a recent interview on CNBC Africa. The creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has been hailed as a positive step towards addressing the conflicts between farmers and herders in Nigeria. While recognizing the government's focus on this critical issue, Masha expressed some concerns about the potential hindrance to collaboration between the agriculture and livestock sectors with the establishment of a separate ministry. However, he acknowledged the importance of the government's recognition of the need for targeted efforts in this area. In discussing solutions to the conflicts between nomadic herders and farmers, the concept of ranching has emerged as a preferred strategy. Masha highlighted the success of pilot projects demonstrating the viability of ranching but stressed the necessity of providing necessary infrastructure and support to make this approach sustainable. Infrastructure such as access to water and support services are essential to incentivize herders to embrace ranching as a solution. The government's announcement of a 150-day duty-free import window for food items aims to alleviate immediate food shortages in the country. This initiative, targeting key commodities like maize, rice, wheat, and cowpeas, seeks to address the peak period for food prices leading up to the new harvest season. Masha commended the time-bound nature of this intervention, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the agriculture sector through timely and targeted measures. Moreover, President Tinubu's $2 trillion stabilization plan, with a substantial allocation of $500 billion to the agriculture sector, has raised expectations for transformative impact. Masha underscored the significance of increasing access to finance in boosting productivity within the sector, recommending a strategic approach that maximizes the effectiveness of resources. He advised leveraging government resources to create guarantee funds and mechanisms that incentivize private sector participation, citing successful models from other markets. While some analysts have critiqued these initiatives as addressing symptoms rather than underlying challenges, Masha emphasized the potential for collaboration between government financial aid and private sector investment. Drawing parallels to successful models like the U.S. farm credit system, he highlighted the synergies that can be achieved when government guarantees facilitate private sector access to capital. In conclusion, the developments in Nigeria's agriculture sector, including the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the introduction of a duty-free import window, represent important strides towards food security. As the country navigates complex challenges in its agricultural landscape, innovative solutions and collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors will be vital in realizing sustainable progress and ensuring a resilient food system for all Nigerians.