Abstract
This paper presents an in-depth investigation of the livelihood strategies of Fulani pastoralists in north central Nigeria. Results show a diversified crop-livestock system aimed at spreading risk and reducing cattle offtake, adapted to natural resource competition and insecurity by extensification, with further diversification into off-farm activities to spread risk, increase livelihood security and capture opportunities. However, significant costs were associated with extensification, and integration of crop and livestock enterprises was limited. Mean total income per capita in the study area was $554 or $1.52/person/day with 42% of households earning less than 1.25/person/day. Income levels were positively correlated with income diversity and price received per animal sold, rather than herd size.The outcomes of this livelihood strategy were favourable across the whole community, but when individual households are considered, there was evidence of moderate economic inequality in total income, cash income and herd size (Gini coefficient 0.32, 0.35 and 0.43 respectively). The poorest households were quite vulnerable, with low assets, income and income diversity. Implications for sustainability are discussed given the likelihood that the negative trends of reduced access to natural resources and insecurity will continue.
Highlights
Pastoralism is a livestock-based production system practised in diverse ecosystems across the globe
This paper investigates the livelihoods of Fulani pastoralists in the subhumid zone of north central Nigeria
The results of this study show a diversified croplivestock system aimed at spreading risk and reducing cattle offtake, adapted to natural resource competition and insecurity by extensification, with further diversification into off-farm activities to spread risk, increase livelihood security and capture opportunities
Summary
Pastoralism is a livestock-based production system practised in diverse ecosystems across the globe. The changing contexts in which pastoralists operate raise the issue of sustainability of pastoral systems in Africa, in the conflict-prone humid and sub-humid zones populated primarily by cultivators with a very. The intention is to analyse the dynamics and Majekodunmi et al Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice (2017) 7:19 diversity of these livelihoods in line with the ‘innovations’ discourse, focusing on livelihood adaptations in response to the challenges they face (Azarya et al 1999, Markakis 2004, Moritz et al 2009) rather than the ‘crisis’ discourse that has dominated pastoralist research and development in Africa (Hiernaux 1996, Sandford 2006, Thebaud and Batterbury 2001, Turner 2000). Possible consequences of these changes in livelihood are discussed with special reference to sustainability
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