Vice Chancellor says farmers, herders crisis may not end soon in Nigeria

Prof. Salako, V.C, FUNAAB

 End may continue to elude Nigeria in the lingering farmer, herder crisis presently bedeviling the country and tearing its security into shreds as long as it refuses to adopt scientific methods in the management of animal husbandry.

According to the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Kolawole Salako the present method of animal husbandry management as practiced in the country may continue to fester crisis between farmers and herders.

Prof. Salako insisted that allowing animals to move around without control or consideration for the interest of other land users cannot be described as animal husbandry in the 21st century

Prof. Kolawole Salako advocated for the scientific use of land with modern technology at resolving the clashes between farmers and herders in Nigeria. 

The Vice-Chancellor made this known as the Keynote Speaker during the award lecture of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Ogun State Chapter, and the public presentation of the newly-published book of the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka titled, ‘Chronicles of the Happiest People on Earth’, held at the Abeokuta Club, themed ‘National Survival’.

Speaking during his lecture titled, "Trends in Cattle Management and Concerns About Food Security in Nigeria," Prof. Salako disclosed that technology could be deployed through satellite maps and data, digital field tools and laboratory equipment, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and software applications for agriculture as well as drones for effective cattle management in the country. 

He also emphasised the need for land evaluation and land use planning to demarcate prime lands for agriculture and the conservation of natural resources for sustainable development. Prof. Salako further stated that allowing animals to move around without control or consideration for the interest of other land users cannot be described as animal husbandry in the 21st century. 

In his own speech at the event, the Nobel Laureate called for a collective approach toward ending insecurity in the country. The highpoint of the event was the presentation of an award to Prof. Salako as the Vice-Chancellor of the Year.