From: Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin- Kebbi
As part of strategies to stop traditional methods of rearing cattle, end incessant conflicts between the Fulani and farmers and their frequent migration, Friesland Campina Company and Kebbi State are partnering to establish modern diary processing plants and ranches in the state.
The Daily Sun gathered that about 40 different Fulani leaders across the state were sent to Fashola Bali Milk Collection and Iseyin Development Centre in Oyo State, last week, under the tutelage of Friesland Campina.
The management of Friesland Campina had visited Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and agreed to introduce modern methods of rearing cattle to the Fulani herders in the state.
It was gathered that while on tour to the dairy farms, they were exposed to modern cattle rearing methods, artificial field grazing, dairy-making facility such as cylinders laboratories, collection, purifying, cooling and storage processing.
Governor Bagudu, while welcoming the company management, on Tuesday, at Government House, disclosed that state government would implement the joint venture with Friesland Campina on modern method of diary processing to its logical conclusion.
Bagudu said he had visited “remote Fulani settlements in Kano State, a similar one in Hutawa, Kebbi State and I have sympathy with you because of the level of poverty in these settlements which made it necessary to take urgent measures to bring succour.
” But we have to borrow money to execute this programme to its logical conclusion “
The Governor, who directed Fulani groups including the Miyyeti Allah, Dikko, Ardo, Rugga to forward the manes of their communities, settlements to the state government, also said they would be incorporated into decision-making processes and development that would change their traditional ways of living.
In his reaction, Chairman of Miyyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Kebbi State, Alhaji Muhammadu Dan Ali, expressed Fulani leaders appreciation to the state government for organising and sponsoring the diary training for them.
He acknowledged that the training would lessen their hardship in the course of rearing cattle as well improved milk processing.