ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF OPEN GRAZING ON FOOD SECURITY IN SOUTH WEST NIGERIA
Chapiter 1
Introduction
1.1 The study’s context
Agriculture production has been recognized as a significant source of livelihood, food for livestock management, and animal traction are all provided by the livestock industry (Obidike et al., 2013; Akpan 2012; Upton 2004; Abbot 1979). The trade in livestock gradually developed links to other economic achievements, including transportation (Scoones, 2009), overland cattle transporters, animal traction, vehicle animal transportation, rope manufacturers, animal bones processing, and sales of
sales of meat, dairy products, and animal feeds (Scoones, 2009) The production of organic fertilizers, the sale of animals, and the trade in livestock products like hides and skins, which have been emphasized as contributing to human sustainability, are some other social and economic advantages of the livestock industry. Since the majority of the world’s poor reside in rural regions, the development of agriculture, particularly the livestock industry, has played a critical role in lowering the level of poverty.
are heavily dependent on agriculture production for existence, with the sub-sector of livestock serving as the primary driver (Kerven, 1992). One of the biggest benefits of open-grazing cattle pastoralism is the mass production of organic fertilizer, especially for farmers in developing countries who cannot afford it.
afford the pricey synthetic fertilizers, which are said to pose risks to both the environment and human health. The creation of this manure has a number of benefits because it improves the activities of the diverse range of beneficial soil microorganisms, which have the potential to operate as biostimulants. They might make it easier for nutrients to reach to the plant, boosting the development and yield of agricultural crops and vegetables. Additionally, they caused some soil to grow.
activities like an increase in beneficial soil bacteria, soil respiration, soil carbon, and soil enzymes (Adetunji and Adejumo 2018, Adetunji et al. 2018, and Adetunji et al., 2019). The traditional breeding and handling of cows and bulls for the production of meat, milk, and possibly skin, along with the raising of calves, form the economic resource base of the Fulani pastoralists and are essential for their survival and sustenance of livelihood (Otchere 1984; Ingawa 1986; Rota et al. 2012). The quality and quantity of feed used to raise the animal, especially the ruminant, determines the production of high-quality and safer meat.
(Atanga et al. 2013) Animal. Livestock grazing can disrupt and compact soil, reduce the rate of water penetration, and increase the rate of soil erosion. It can also reduce the growth of many herbaceous plant cover and litter. Additionally, a research by Greenwood and McKenzie (2001) found that cow grazing, particularly on rangeland or continuous pasture, could cause soil compaction. Howery et al. (2000) claim that light stocking rates not only make it easier for animals to graze, improving their year-round dietary selectivity, but also significantly lessen the grazing load on grasslands. Additionally, sedentary pastoralism in some communities in Nigeria, particularly in Yewa Division of Ogun State, may be related to the existence of
Natural pasture in the host towns, ensuring an ongoing supply of pastures for grazing throughout the year. According to several studies (Omotayo et al. 1999; Adebayo and Olaniyi 2008; Blench 2010; Oladele and Oladele 2011), this grazing system (or systems) may have been an instinctive method for insuring their economic survival and upholding social bonds with their host communities. Animal grazing has been found to have a number of impacts on agricultural output.
food quality, too. During the process of open grazing, the majority of the seeds that are dispersed by animals moving them in their coats (fur, fleece, or hair), feet, or digestive tracts may be moved to another area. Additionally, uncontrolled open grazing can hasten seed germination by pressing the seed into the soil, and through their dung, it can provide the manure that plants require to thrive. Additionally, by devouring reproductive systems, it can directly reduce flower and seed output.
or subtly by enhancing the plant and reducing the energy available to produce seeds. Additionally, it was noted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in its 2011 report that livestock production, and animal grazing in particular, can be seen as providing mandatory support to agriculture as it significantly subsidizes to food security, primarily by providing manure for crop production, supporting agriculture in regions that have difficulty growing crops, consumption of feed that is not suitable for human consumption, and supply of global livestock. The production of food for Nigeria’s population relies heavily on livestock, but the issue of open grazing has raised serious concerns and put food security in danger. This may be related to the fact that Taraba is the state with the majority of farmers.
Women and young people, who make up the majority of farming villages in places like Nakazawa, Kaduna (Southern Kaduna), and Plateau States, have been driven away by herders-farmers violence. These movements, which are the result of conflicts between herders and sedentary farmers over the rights to free grazing, are expected to lead to food shortages in the local populations, most notably because they have restricted trade.
Nigeria’s overall economy (Awogbade 1987). Arable crop production has been found to play a significant impact in the viability of the human population internationally by improving the socioeconomic standing of those residing in rural and urban areas. Arable crop growing requires substantial crops and
corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava, cowpea, wheat, soybeans, melon, and groundnut yam are examples of vegetables. The main stable foods that Nigeria typically eats are those listed above. For their sustainability, profitability, and food production, most farmers in the various geopolitical zones favor cultivating one or more arable crops. Furthermore, it has been noted that Nigerian small-scale farmers, who supply about 80% of the nation’s food needs, dominate the country’s agricultural sector. Additionally, just half of Nigeria’s 71 million hectares of arable land have been put to use for agricultural. This may be related to the problematic open grazing of animals on farmlands that farmers are already experiencing.
They still intemperately operate their farms. Additionally, it has been noted that the Fulani herdsmen’s activities and their widespread grazing system have had a significant impact on the pace of food production, particularly in the South Western region of Nigeria. Due to a decrease in effectiveness and efficiency, this has rendered the south-western smallholder farmers’ high efficiency inoperable. Additionally, it was found that the majority of farmers had left their farms out of fear for the gun-toting cattle herders, and that the majority of their cultivated agricultural fields and crop yields were destroyed by cattle, resulting in widespread poverty and unemployment in the country (Fayinka 2004). Additionally, it has been discovered that the majority of farmers in rural areas have experienced financial losses as a result of crop growers inflicting bodily harm on
Cutlasses, spears, guns, or poisoning the cattle, sheep, or goats were used to protect their livestock (Awogbade, 1987; Gefu and Are; Odoh SI. Chilaka 2012; Ogbo et al., 2017; Ogo-Oluwa 2017). Beyond human comprehension, there have been numerous economic and personal losses, including shortages that worsen the country’s current food shortage.
1.2 Description of the research problem
It is apparent that the numerous conflicts between Fulani herders and local farmers in most communities, particularly in the south-west of the nation, have an impact on Nigeria’s environmental food security and other environmental issues. Therefore, there is a need to put more effort into producing and distributing a sufficient amount of high-quality food to the world’s growing population. Food must, therefore, be reliable, economical, and safe for all of society’s varied groups (Ingram et al., 2010; Foley et al., 2011; Godfray et al., 2010; Beddington et al., 2012). As a result, we must intensify our efforts to produce and distribute a sufficient amount of high-quality food to the world’s growing population. Looking at Nigeria’s public laws, it is clear that there are none that safeguard the environment from this commercial activity, with the exception of more recent anti-open grazing regulations that have received support from several states. This seems to explain a number of problems, including the inappropriate management of cattle grazing pastures.People are afraid to visit their farms because of the ongoing conflicts between herdsmen and farmers, which has led to shortages and price increases for some food items.
1.3 Study’s objectives
The following are the main goals of this investigation:
1. To determine how open grazing affects the south west’s ability to feed its people.
2. To determine the reasons behind the ongoing conflict in the southwest between Fulani herdsmen and farmers.
3. To figure out how to lessen the constant violence between farmers and herdsmen.
4. To learn how farmers and food producers can be protected.
1.4.1 Research issues
For this study, the following question has been posed:
1. Does open grazing affect South West food security?
2. Is there a cause for the ongoing fighting in the south west between fulani herdsmen and farmers?
3. Do you believe that the constant fighting between farmers and herdsmen can be reduced or stopped?
4. Can farmers and food products in south-west Nigeria be secured?
1.5 Importance of the research
The focus of this study will be on how open grazing affects food security in south-west Nigeria.
The results of this study will definitely give government organizations, NGOs, state governments, the ministry of agriculture, individuals, and academia the information that they so desperately need.
1.6 Study’s purview
In this study, the impact of open grazing on South West food security will be investigated. As a result, this study is restricted to farmers in Nigeria’s Oyo State.
1.7 Studies limitations
The following are some of the variables that limited this study:
Given the current state of the economy, financial restrictions are unavoidable. due to a shortage of funding available to the researchers to purchase supplies and print questionnaires. Some police stations and some of the corruption victims could not be visited.
The issue of inadequate data exists in emerging nations like Nigeria.
Time is a factor that also poses limitations because the researcher must juggle writing the research and doing other academic work, which is uncomfortable.
1.8 Term operational definitions
The process of evaluating someone or something.
Evaluation: the process of judging someone or something.
Open grazing is the traditional act of ruminant animals wandering over open fields, plains, and bushes in search of pasture or vegetation.
Food security is the condition of having consistent access to an adequate supply of a reasonable price and wholesome food.
South-west: The movement in the direction of the horizon’s midpoint, which can also be the actual horizon’s point.
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