Pastoralists’ knowledge of napier cultivation: Implication for social and environmental security in Nigeria

Abstract

Conflicts involving farming communities and itinerant pastoralists have resulted in social unrest while the cultivation of Napier grass can ensure feed, social and environmental security. Literature of the knowledge level of pastoralists in cultivating Napier grass is scarce, hence this study seeks to ascertain if pastoralists can cultivate Napier grass to raise cattle and determine the potential influence of cultivation on social and environmental security. The study was conducted in North Central Nigeria. A two-stage sampling procedure was adopted to select 208 participants (200 pastoralists and 8 extension practitioners) for the study. Questionnaire, focus group discussions and interview guide were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data and analyzed using descriptive, inferential statistics and content analysis respectively. Results showed that the majority (76.5%) of the pastoralists had no knowledge of Napier grass cultivation. Multiple regression showed that age, area of residence, years of experience in cattle rearing, method of feeding cattle, and awareness of Napier grass were factors determining pastoralists’ knowledge of Napier cultivation (R2 = 0.561, F = 35.028, p < 0.01). The extension practitioners affirmed that massive cultivation of Napier grass by the pastoralists is a sustainable roadmap to socio-environmental security whilst securing constant feed for cattle. The study concluded that although 76.6% of the pastoralists (through Focus Group Discussion) are willing to cultivate Napier, they do not have the requisite knowledge of the benefits and implications. Findings from this study are equally important to help in planning extension education aimed to foster social and environmental security. Thus, agricultural extension policy and training that can improve the knowledge of pastoralists is needed to promote social and environmental security.

Keywords

• Cattle
• Napier grass
• Feed security
• Conflicts
• Social unrest
• Extension practitioners