The World Bank/WBI’s CBNRM Initiative

Case Received: February 18, 1998

File Name: Nigeri3.doc

Author: Taiwo Toluyemi

Email: ceetie@skannet.com

The nomadic Fulanis otherwise called "Bororos" are always on the move in search of green pastures and disease-free environment for their livestock. They occupy the sudan and sahel savannah vegetational zone of Northern Nigeria. This falls within longitude 7oE and 11oE and between latitude 11oN and 13oN. Rainfalls reduces as one moves from the southern to the northern part of the country. The renewable natural resources include grazing and arable lands, as well as developed human resources. Theimportant contextual factors in this case is the beneficial coexistence of arable cropping and animal rearing. If the relationship or interests of the two parties (i.e arable farmers and cattle rearers) are not properly managed, it often results into chaos or conflicts and inefficient use of land. The author of this case is involved through research in agricultural production systems and land use.

Before the establishment of grazing reserves, there were destruction of arable crops by the cattle of the nomadic "Bororos". Hence, there were losses of harvests due to reduction of crop yield, pre-mature harvest of crops, eating up of produce etc. It also resulted in the difficulty of using combine harvesters, as a reasonable portion of the crops might have dropped on the ground. The nomads, some of who claimed to be paying taxes on their cattle were not provided grazing path or grazing land and do not have free movement on motor roads. Hence, they often create bush paths which sometimes cross farm lands.

The nomads who are also always in search of pastures for their cattle have little or no western education. Hence, they are mostly illiterates. They do no only move within the national boundaries but they also cross the international boundaries thereby causing immigration problems. If these problems are not addressed, food security in particular and economic development for the country would be disrupted and probably jeopardised.

The change process came about by enactment of laws establishing a grazing reserves and penalties for livestock destroying arable farm land as well as non-use of grazing reserves for cattle. This law(s) came about as a result of the awareness of wanton destruction of produce and lives due to conflicts between nomads and arable crop farmers. The agencies such as Ministry of Agriculture through their extension agents, the judiciary and the legislative authorities are involved in initiating action. The aims of government were mainly to:

a.     Increase agricultural productivity, hence increase provision of food at affordable prices.

b.     Maintain peaceful coexistence between nomads and arable crop farmers.

c.     Increase the literacy level of the populace

d.     Ensure accurate head counts and hence planning for the nation.

e.     Ensure efficient use of land.

It was government agencies that took the initiative to bring about the change.

The changes that were established were: that a law specifically prohibiting the destruction of arable farm land was made. Grazing reserves were established for nomads where forage are grown and preservations are made. Nomadic education and health facilities are also provided for the nomads. These attempts tend to improve the efficiency of land use and land could be intensively used. It improves the rate of generation of land fertility through the animal dung. The nomads also live a sedentary and more organised lifestyle hence increase their well-being. There seems to be increased agricultural productivity and hence the standard of living of the people. The nomads are better reached by the extension agents i.e. Agricultural and Health extension agents.

The beneficial complementarity of mixed farming can be enhanced by proper land demarcation, assignment and use. On the other hand fertility of the land could be enhanced with the use of animal dung. This reduces the environmental hazards of chemical fertilizer. More so, biological fertilizer is by far cheaper than the chemical fertilizers. The intervention also made it abundantly clear that it is possible to rehabilitate nomads to a more sedentary and organised life. It was also learned that rehabilitation of nomads can bring enhanced productivity of nomads, flocks and arable farmers.

One unique thing about replicability of the case is that of politicising the programme whereby it starts a wave of demands for similar treatment by other groups such as fisher men.