THE WOES OF NOMADISM

             The act of travelling long distances with animal in search for grassland and water for livestock is a predominant occupation of Fulani’ in this part of the world as It is a generational means of livelihood as cash obtained from the sales of animal or animal product(s) are used for the purchase other items necessary for their living. Provision of meat, milk, wool and skin are some the economic benefits of Nomadism to households and the nation. This animal production system and others that deals with the way and manner in which animals are solely kept or in combination with pasture land and/or arable crops are faced with a lot of challenges. Diminishing grazing area, restricted movement enforced by development administrators, theft of animals from members of the same clans or other tribes, long daily treks between the kraal, the pasture and the watering points, as well as insufficient fodder reserves as result of an inadequate fodder distribution over the year are some of the widely registered problems of animal productions systems. Economic losses, traumatic experiences, conflicts and competitions are some of the reverberations that follow suite. The prevalence of harsh weather condition as an incursion of global change (climate change) is an aggravator of these woes. The Fulani cattle rarer, his house hold as well as his dependants can then be termed vulnerable in all respect. Their sensitivity to grass land losses, water stresses, as well as incessant wandering exposes them and account for their pathetic vulnerability.

Plate 1:  Musa with Adenle Ademola

CROG in a nostalgia picture with Musa, a 23 year old Fulani cattle rarer after an informal discussion, wandering with his father’s herd in Gidan Gkwano area of Bosso LGA Niger state. The discussions confirms the challenges faced by herdsmen as found in literatures and researches, Musa lamented and complained that these challenges are worsened during the dry times because as the first son of his sick father he has to walk very long distances into distant areas and possibly sleep in the wild for some nights before returning home. It is no doubt that these challenges are faced by numerous Fulani herdsmen that we come across each day. 

Plate 2: Musa with Akpeokhai Agatha

Nigeria must plans to examine the vulnerability of Fulani cattle rarer in their subsequent research work as National Vulnerability assessment will be incomplete without their consideration.

Plate 4: The wandering animals

Climate Research and Outreach Group (CROG)…COMBINING PROFESSIONALISM WITH PASSION 

Akpeokhai Agatha and Adenle Ademola (CROG).