Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association has warned that a cow could cost N2 million if the anti-grazing bill is passed into law in Lagos State.
The Zonal Secretary of Myetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in the South West, Meikudi Usman, said this during a one-day public hearing organised by the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Usman said rearing cows openly is cheaper than keeping them in one place (Ranching).
He urged the Lagos State government to assist the cow breeders.
He also pleaded with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration to subsidise the cost of raising the cattle in one location.
“If cattle are bred in one place, the price could go up to about N2 million each.
“A Fulani man moves from one place to another to ply his trade, but we have some bad eggs that are causing trouble.”
“The government should allow us to talk to our people that they don’t want our cows to destroy people’s farmland.
“We agreed with some local chiefs in other states that anyone who wants to rear cows in a location should register and should indicate when he is leaving.
“We have met with stakeholders in Ekiti, Ondo and even Oyo states and we reached agreements with them,” he said.
Alhaji Alabi Bamidele Kazeem, the Chairman of Lagos State Butchers Association of Lagos State, also argued that “rearing animals in one location could be expensive”.
He described the bill as “all-embracing and would ensure a symbiotic relationship between cattle rearers and farmers”.
