The Nigerian Farmers Group and Cooperative Society, NFGCS, initiated the Hydroponic Livestock Fodder Programme, HLFP, to eliminate open grazing and persistent herders/farmers clashes in the country.
This programme was made known by the National Coordinator, NFGCS, Mr. Retson Tedheke, while speaking on the positive impact the programme will make in the agricultural sector, national security and peace. He said the basic solution to tackle herders/farmers clashes is to have community integration and not to demonise parties involved in the conflict but to be part of the solution. According to him, open grazing was not sustainable, because more Nigerians are going into farming, there is exponential population growth in Nigeria, where people need a home and more lands will be opened, hence the Hydroponic Livestock Fodder Programme will go a long way to help in livestock development.
NFGCS has already started cultivating plants through the hydroponic system for the programme, which the farm has been into ranching with over 1,000 cattle.