Pay attention to us like you do to crops farmers - Herdsmen to Government

Ghanaian herdsmen have expressed dissatisfaction about government's neglect and lack support to the cattle business sector over the years to make attractive and lucrative.

Members of the cattle farmers across five regions in the country say, they cannot fathom why government pays much attention to crops farmers but does little or nothing for the cattle farmers, though both contribute to the country's GDP.

Their complaints are coming at the time the cattle rearers have difficult times with local crop farmers who are unhappy about the destruction of their farms by herdsmen.

Earlier this year, there were some clashes between some herdsmen and local crop farmers in many parts of the country.

The unfortunate incident led to some deaths and destruction of farmlands.

But the cattle farmers say, it is the responsibility of the government to negotiate with local authorities to secure space for them and regulate the cattle business like it is done in other parts of the world.

Central region Chairman of the National Cattle Farmers Association, Chief Mohammed Ibrahim says government's inability to support and protect the sector has caused more harm than good in the creation of jobs among others.

"We are not the only ones benefitting from cattle business. Most Ghanaians get the biggest gain." He said.

So why would government ignore our concerns and look on while we suffer? He queries.

For the rearers, it is high time government implemented policies and programs to provide enabling environment to the farmers without any confrontations.

At a stallholders meeting in Kumasi, Chief Ibrahim explains that, government should as a matter of urgency recognise them as key players in the agriculture sector and also provide training to them.

He says this would provide them with enough requisite ideas and understanding of the sector so that they can operate well.

Animal scientists at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Dr. Jacob Hamidu raises similar concerns about the country's inability to develop the cattle value chain which is affecting the industry.

He says there should be enough guidelines and arrangements to protect the sector.

He is currently working on a document to tackle the issue head on and provide possible solutions.

Dr. Hamidu agrees that, the cattle rearers have real concerns and that government should give them a listening ear.

National Vice President of Fulani, Osman Bin Ahmed highlights the mission of the meeting and says, it was part of effort to create enabling environment for herdsmen and crop farmers.

Mr. Ahmed adds "I would leave any chance to what happened in the past to occur again. We will make there is a lasting solution."

The meeting brought together cattle farmers from Ashanti, central, eastern, bring Ahafo and northern regions.