By Gloria Ikibah
The Nigerian Army has called for urgent adoption of ranching as a national policy to address Nigeria’s growing food insecurity, as he said open grazing was no longer sustainable.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede stated this at the recent National Summit on Food, Nutrition, and Food Security, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security in Abuja. 
Represented by Major General Olufemi Dare, Executive Director of Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited, Chief of Army Staff called on the National Assembly to enact legislation banning open grazing and provide ranching alternatives for herders.
He said, “The issue of food insecurity is give and take. Even if all security agencies are deployed to the farms, they cannot cover every farmland.
“There’s a need to embrace ranching, leverage technology, and ensure every state and local government gets involved. Security agencies should be empowered to focus on their constitutional duties.”
He stated that the Nigerian Army has established various formations aimed at preventing farmer-herder clashes.
Representative of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Yusuf Sani Idris, drew attention to the contributions of the Nigerian Navy through the establishment of Admiralty Farms Limited, with operational farms across nearly all six geopolitical zones.
He explained that the farms provide both food security and physical security for farmers, while plans are underway to expand to other zones.
Representing the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Assistant Commandant General, Besong Michaels Ogar stressed the need for timely information sharing to address security breaches affecting farms.
He therefore urged the National Assembly to help streamline herder and farmer activities, citing the tension over encroached cattle routes in the Middle Belt, Northeast, and Northwest.
In his remarks, His Royal Highness, Dr. Emeka Ilouno, Eze Dunu of Ifitedunu, Anambra State, called on government to educate grassroots farmers and support cooperatives, as he said food security efforts must start from the local level.
Chairman of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Rep. Chike Okafor, reiterated the commitment of the committee to ensure a safer and food-secure Nigeria. According to him, “peace and security are vital for both farmers and security agencies alike”.
