For decades cattle farmers and dairy producers in Ghana resort to the traditional method of rearing cattle where the animals are taken to greener ‘open fields’ or sometimes forest areas to graze.
This development has resulted in some unpleasant situations – clashes between farmers and nomadic herdsmen who take these animals around to feed.
The clashes come about due to the destruction of farmlands that the animals knowingly or unknowingly, with the help of their guide herdsmen, stray into.
Worryingly, this is being done in the age of modernity where the animals can be kept in ranches, as done in many advanced countries.
Several calls have been made for the country to have cattle ranching policy to regulate activities of cattle farmers and dairy producers while curbing the perennial clashes.
The former Ashanti regional chairman of the Ghana Association of Farmers and Fishers, Rev. Kojo Nkrumah, says a holistic approach should be taken to solve this problem.
He believes it is time for the nation to have a cattle village, that will among others help to create a ‘one stock shop’ where dairy products could be sourced as well as meat and beef for consumption.
He said this will more particularly restrict the movement of the animals to their ranches which prevent them from straying into farms to graze.
“We have to take a second look at our cattle industry. With the current system, we cannot get the quantity of beef we need to feed ourselves and also export some,” he stated.
Rev. Kojo Nkrumah further suggested that there should be a designated areas in each district that will be the hub of cattle rearing and production centers, equipped with modern technology.
He was convinced that the cattle village when taken into consideration, will significantly improve demand for dairy products and meat while also making the country globally competitive in their export.
Good story Richard!
Most Grateful Presidooo