The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said the ministry will begin growing special grasses for cattle in August.

Ogbeh said this while addressing journalists on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said the ministry has started bringing the special seeds for the grass (fodder seeds) into the country.

Ogbeh explained that after some time, the country would become an exporter of the grass to earn foreign exchange.

“The Saudi Arabia is asking that if Nigeria can grow enough grass they will buy to feed their cows, “ he said.

He assured that with the paddock development, the clash between farmers and herdsmen in the country would be put to an end.

“The clash between farmers and herdsmen has been getting worse by the years and by the grace of God I will bring it to an end,“ he said.

He said that most of the conflicts were been perpetuated by Fulanis from some West African countries like Senegal, Mauritania, Mali among others, as some of the herdsmen arrested could not speak any of the Nigerian languages.

He said that there are 415 gazing reserves spread across the country, with Adamawa accounting for 73, adding that some are gazetted while some are not.

He said that after the development of ranches, it would be an offence for any herdsmen to allow his cattle to roam the streets.

Azeez