SOGREDEN Holds Maiden National Workshop.

The first national workshop, organized by the Society for Grassland
Research and Development in Nigeria (SOGREDEN), was held recently at
the National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello
University, Zaria.
The workshop, which was attended by Pasture scientists from the
country had as its theme: Grassland Resources: Tool for Empowerment
and Food Security.
The President of SOGREDEN, Professor Olufemi Onifade, of FUNAAB's
Department of Pasture and Range Management and Director, Centre of
Entrepreneurial Studies, noted that the workshop was the first of its
kind to be organized by the Society, as he expressed the optimism that
landmark achievements would be recorded in the area of grassland
research and the elimination of perennial communal clashes between
crop farmers and pastoralists in Nigeria.
"There had been attempts in the past to establish the Society, but
such attempts did not achieve much success for one reason or the other
until colleagues at Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
organised the Stakeholders' Meeting", he added.
At the end of the national workshop, a 6-point communiqué was issued,
which emphasized the need for the restoration of diploma courses in
Range and Pasture Science in the Colleges of Agriculture and the
introduction of Pasture and Range Management training at degree level
in the Universities; the need for updating of the livestock
populations in Nigeria through an accurate census of all relevant
livestock species for effective planning and development.
SOGREDEN also called for the establishment of Grazing Reserve and
Stock Route Commission, to sensitize stakeholders, in order to
facilitate the appointment of relevant professionals to the
Commission; the need for the nation's agricultural transformation
agenda to cover pasture production and management and the imperative
for an aggressive programme of producing suitable pasture grass and
legume seeds, to cover all the ecological zones of the country.
The Society also ratified the elections of its National Executive
Council, made up members of staff of FUNAAB, namely: Professor Olufemi
Onifade, President; Dr Jimoh Olanite, National Secretary and
Professor Alaba Jolaosho, National Treasurer, whose two-year tenure
was with effect last month.