ABU, Copenhagen University Launch Research to Tackle Farmer-Herder Conflicts, Boost Dairy Production
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has partnered with the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and industry stakeholders to undertake a multidisciplinary research project aimed at improving pastoral livelihoods, boosting dairy production, strengthening climate resilience and addressing farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria.
The initiative, known as the SCREEN Project, will examine how improved livestock management, settled pastoral farming systems and inclusive community institutions can enhance household welfare, reduce resource-related conflicts and promote sustainable agricultural development.
The Nigerian Coordinator of the project, Associate Professor Sanni Abdullahi of the Department of Agricultural Economics, ABU, disclosed that the research would focus on the Damau Household Milk Farm in Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
According to Abdullahi, the study will assess the impact of sedentarisation, a transition from nomadic pastoralism to more settled livestock production, on milk productivity, household income, climate adaptation and relations between farmers and herders.
He explained that the project seeks to generate scientific evidence that could guide government policies and development interventions addressing the economic, environmental and social challenges confronting pastoral communities.
Already, researchers have surveyed 736 households in Damau, including 256 households identified as beneficiaries of existing interventions and 488 non-beneficiary households.
The survey is expected to provide comparative data on household welfare, livestock productivity, access to essential services and the effectiveness of improved dairy farming practices.
Abdullahi said the research comprises two interconnected studies involving several academic departments at ABU and the University of Copenhagen, reflecting the complex nature of challenges facing Nigeria’s pastoral economy.
He disclosed that the project would also support the training of seven doctoral and seven master’s degree researchers across Agricultural Economics, Genetics, Veterinary Sciences, Nutrition, Mass Communication, Political Science and Sociology.
The participating researchers will examine different dimensions of pastoral livelihoods, combining scientific, economic, social and communication perspectives to develop practical recommendations for sustainable livestock production.
At ABU, the Faculties of Agriculture and Social Sciences, alongside the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, will contribute specialised expertise to the research.
The project will investigate how improved dairy farming practices can increase milk production, strengthen household incomes and expand access to education, healthcare and markets in pastoral communities.
It will also examine the potential of improved fodder production, sustainable livestock management and community-based institutions to reduce competition over land, water and grazing resources.
A major component of the research will focus on the relationship between settled pastoral production systems and farmer-herder conflicts, particularly in communities where competition for agricultural resources has contributed to recurring tensions.
Under the Sociology component, researchers will investigate how sedentarisation influences relationships between pastoralists and farming communities.
The study will assess the effectiveness of improved fodder systems, inclusive community institutions and existing conflict-resolution mechanisms in preventing disputes and promoting peaceful coexistence.
The Political Science component will examine the role of inclusive cooperatives and governance institutions in strengthening climate adaptation and resilience.
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Particular attention will be given to decision-making processes, community participation and the relationship between traditional leadership structures and modern institutions in managing shared resources.
Researchers will also assess how inclusive governance arrangements can encourage cooperation among pastoralists, farmers, community leaders and relevant government agencies.
The Agricultural Economics component will investigate the financial, social and human resources required by pastoral households to improve their livelihoods and adapt to changing environmental and economic conditions.
It will examine household welfare, income diversification, access to productive assets and economic resilience, with a view to identifying sustainable pathways for improving pastoral incomes.
The Mass Communication component will focus on how pastoralists receive, interpret and adopt improved animal husbandry practices.
Researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of training programmes, workshops and other communication approaches in encouraging the adoption of modern livestock management techniques.
The study will also examine factors influencing behavioural change among pastoralists and explore how indigenous knowledge can be integrated with scientific innovations to improve agricultural productivity.
Under the Nutrition component, researchers will assess the nutritional value of different grasses and crops used as livestock feed, as well as the effectiveness of zero-grazing systems.
Zero-grazing involves keeping livestock in designated facilities and supplying them with harvested feed rather than allowing unrestricted movement in search of pasture.
The research will examine the potential of such systems to improve feeding efficiency, support milk production and reduce dependence on open grazing.
The Veterinary Sciences component will investigate cattle health management, disease prevention and the effectiveness of veterinary interventions in improving livestock productivity.
Researchers will assess how better animal healthcare practices can reduce livestock losses, improve herd performance and support sustainable dairy farming.
Similarly, the Genetics component will evaluate the performance of improved and imported cattle breeds under Nigerian environmental conditions.
The study will focus particularly on milk production, adaptability and the suitability of different breeds for local farming systems.
Beyond livestock productivity, the SCREEN Project will examine broader development challenges affecting pastoral households, including child malnutrition, access to healthcare, educational opportunities and the effects of climate change on rural livelihoods.
The researchers are also expected to assess gender-related impacts and the extent to which improved production systems can create economic opportunities for women and other vulnerable members of pastoral communities.
The collaboration between ABU and the University of Copenhagen is expected to strengthen institutional research capacity, promote international knowledge exchange and provide advanced training opportunities for emerging Nigerian researchers.
By combining expertise from agriculture, veterinary medicine, nutrition, social sciences and communication, the project seeks to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing pastoral productivity, community stability and sustainable rural development.
Findings from the research are expected to provide policymakers, agricultural institutions and development partners with evidence-based recommendations on dairy production, climate adaptation, livestock management and conflict prevention.
The project is also expected to contribute to ongoing efforts to develop practical alternatives to resource-intensive pastoral practices while improving the welfare of livestock-dependent households.
Ultimately, the SCREEN Project aims to demonstrate how scientific innovation, inclusive institutions and improved agricultural practices can strengthen pastoral livelihoods, enhance food security and support peaceful coexistence between farming and herding communities in Nigeria.
By PRNigeria
