The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has set conditions for the implementation of livestock tax on herders in Yobe state. The impositions of taxes, according to the Yobe State Government, will however; improve security situation and it’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
While setting the conditions Monday in Damaturu, President of KACRAN, Hon. Khalil Bello disclosed: “The State Government should reciprocate by providing us grazing reserves with the demarcation of all cattle routes,” lamenting that the routes across the state have been taken over by farmers. He noted that the herders are in full support of taxing their livestock, provided that the basic needs of grazing and water points for cattle and other livestock are sustained. He claimed that the Federal Government provides loans and other farm inputs of fertilizers and pesticides to farmers, while ‘herders and livestock producers’ are on their own to sustain their livelihoods. “The demarcated cattle routes were taken over by farmers in the last two decades,” he said.
He further lamented that herders in the state are still paying education levy without education of their children tendering cattle in the various communities. The livestock tax followed Governor Mai Mala Buni’s Executive Order No 3 last week in Damaturu, the state capital. “The imposition of taxes could mitigate conflicts between the herders and farmers, while tending their cattle and farmlands in communities,” said Buni.
The Secretary to the State Government, Mallam Baba Wali also added: “To sustain peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers,” noting that the tax could also reduce cattle rustling and communal clashes. On livestock population to administer the tax, The Yobe State Pilot Livestock Project manager, Dr. Idrissa Madaki disclosed: “There are 8.66 million livestock in the state,” stating that it comprises cattle, camels, donkeys, horses, goats and sheep in the various communities.
He noted that with the imposition of N200 tax rate on livestock, N1.132 billion revenue be generated annually, while N566 million IGR at N100 per head of cattle be accrued into MDAs’ coffers. He said with the implementation of Buni’s order, a high-powered committee led by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Hajiya Mairo Amshi has been set up. Mairo said that representatives of Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are also on the committee to work out the tax rates on livestock.
Continuing; “This committee is to sensitize and bring every member on board on the benefits of livestock taxes,” he said, stating that its implementation could improve the State’s security situation and IGR.
“The harness of agriculture, livestock and crop production has contributed to the development of the state.” She said that peaceful coexistence is very important, as the population is increasing, while land is stagnant. She warned that; as land under cultivation and livestock population increases, conflicts between herders and farmers will continue to rise with losses of more lives and property.
“Once we have peace in the state, we will now reintroduce and adopt the modalities of imposing livestock taxes effectively to raise revenues,” she said. Other members of the committee include the Special Adviser on Agriculture, Liaison officer Agriculture, 17 Local Government Council Chairmen, traditional rulers, all heads of Security in the state. Heads of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Veterinary and Livestock Area Officers and relevant livestock associations are members of the livestock tax implementation committee.
