A land-use system and the challenge of sustainable ago- pastoral production in southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

SUMMARY The study is focused on land use in agro-pastoral production in Ogun State. Using a combination of data from ethno-social surveys, remote sensing and geographical information systems (GIS), the study has characterized the overall agro-pastoral production system, with emphasis on population, land use and herd productivity. It was found that yields of arable crops on agro pastoralists' fields were generally low due, perhaps, to the low genetic potentials of seed varieties used, poor soil conditions and poor land management practices. Livestock productivity was similar on all parameters to levels in similar contexts elsewhere across the West African subregion but generally below possible potentials and research station findings. Much of the land cover had been considerably altered around the areas of pastoral household settlements compared with the situation 20 years ago. Agro-pastoral households currently use between 221 km2 and 523 km2 of land in Ogun State. Pastoral grazing orbits extend beyond the boundaries of the State in the northeastern areas and beyond the boundaries of the country into the Republic of Benin in the northwest. These areas represent potential conflict areas between crop farmers and agro-pastoralists. There was a direct and positive relationship between population density in pastoral household settlements and the area of land disturbed. It was recommended that there was a need for deliberate land-use planning intervention by government to ensure long-term peaceful co-existence of farmers and agro-pastoral producers. It was concluded that further studies should focus on establishing a clear link between the land-use practices of agro-pastoralists and their specific effects on soil conditions, ecological succession and the overall farming systems.