By Micheal Adedotun Oke
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja, Nigeria, is home to six area councils where Fulani communities dominate. Various research, market analyses, news coverage, reports, and pictorial dictionaries support the notion that Fulani empires are prevalent in these areas. We discovered that Fulani cattle roam freely, searching for grasses and water, which often leads to farm destruction and encroachment. This results in numerous farm-related conflicts, particularly during harvesting seasons, causing concern among farming communities.
During off-seasons and off-farming sessions, farming operations take place in various areas of the FCT. However, the Fulani relocate their cattle onto farms, impacting agricultural operations and deterring people from harvesting at the earliest times. This has led to farmer-herder conflicts, resulting in loss of life and property. These activities have been closely contested and confirmed, with the nation having different ideas and motivations for stopping such behaviors.
The study recommends setting aside nutrients for grazing to increase farmers’ concerns about nutrition, which might reduce life damage and promote a good system. The droppings from the cattle, which turn into manure, and the soil’s routing patterns cause significant problems that ruin the farming system. The Fulani migrations are observed during different seasons, driven by the availability of water and grasses, which they carefully select.
Goals of the Study
This study aims to research the handling of Fulani livestock and their influx into farming areas, clarify their systems, and offer recommendations for those who don’t believe in examining the basis of their beliefs. The Fulani believe that moving their cattle is a fundamental system of production, prioritizing nutritional value and animal health over adopting new technologies. They also believe in conserving and retaining animals to obtain nutritional value.
The idea of using butterflies as a means to lessen disputes among farmers is worth exploring, but it requires the animals’ approval and a robust system for containing them. There is a need to reorient farmers and create new systems for containing animals to increase productivity and promote strong support for them.
Conclusion
Having discussed how the Fulani’s behavior has contributed to various challenges and causes of life problems in the farming community, it is necessary to change their beliefs while the society does not support this knowledge system. They must adopt more technical production technologies and change their beliefs to support the various variables of values for production and grow the livestock industry. Education and extension services can play a vital role in promoting proactive livestock management, ensuring cattle are given nutritional value to lower risk, and contributing to knowledge and best practices in developing nations.
*Oke writes from Abuja and he is the Executive Director:
Micheal Adedotun Oke Foundation (MAOF)
+2348027142077
maof2020@gmail.com
