Don advocates adoption of Kenya model by Nigeria’s herdsmen

Dr. Yakubu Bununu, Coordinator, School of Post Graduate Studies at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria has urged the Federal Government to prevail on herdsmen in the country to adopt the zero grazing model being practised in Kenya, saying pastoral nomadism is primitive and outdated.
 
Herdsmen in Nigeria
Bununu who made the appeal while speaking at the end of this year’s African Land Policy Conference in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, said the Kenya model would lessen the clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

He said adoption of the model would significantly modernise the cattle economy and prevent the attendant loss of human and cattle lives as well as destruction of farm infrastructure and produce.

The university don, who also heads a team of researchers funded by the University of Groningen, Netherlands, said the anti-grazing law enacted by some states of the federation may end up creating more security challenges than intended.

“On the other hand, the herdsmen may have to face the reality of modernisation. They cannot continue to go about looking for pasture and water to feed their cattle. There are examples of modern ways of feeding the cattle. The Masai (in Kenya) is a very good example that would improve the earnings of the herdsmen,” he said.

According to Bununu, cattle herders should not be allowed to roam around as they please even though the practice is a significant part of the Fulani culture and identity.

“I think we need to fundamentally change the thinking of this group of people and introduce to them the more modern practice of ranching and growing of pasture. There is no need for migration in search of water and food. The case of the Masai in East Africa is a good reference point”, he said.


Majority of dairy animals in Kenya are operated under zero grazing or semi grazing systems. Under the zero-grazing system, cattle are confined in one place where feed and water and healthcare are brought to the animals. The grazing pattern has been useful in densely populated areas.

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