November 22, 2021

2SCALE participates at the Society for Grassland Research and Development in Nigeria (SOGREDEN) conference

Animal Production Related

Nigeria

For 2SCALE, partnerships are a means to an end. It is through collaborating with relevant actors in the agricultural sector that the programme can scale successes and address new challenges.

In northern Nigeria, 2SCALE, in partnership with Nestle is accelerating the development of the dairy sector. This is mainly through empowering Fulani pastoralists and smallholder dairy farmers to supply quality milk to dairy processors.

Fulani Milk Producers are mainly pastoral communities who own and manage about 95% of the cattle population in Nigeria. There is an increasing need to improve the productivity of their livestock, which typically produce low volumes of milk. Improved fodder production systems are key in achieving this. This will not only improve the animals’ overall health but also enhance the quality and quantity of milk they produce.

On 7^th-10^th November 2021, 2SCALE participated in the 4th biennial Society for Grassland Research Development in Nigeria (SOGREDEN) conference. The conference was held at the Emerald Energy Centre, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria. SOGREDEN’s mandate is to promote efficient use of Nigerian rangeland, institute grazing control, and advise on policy reform on grazing reserves.

The theme for this year’s conference was: Grasslands Development for Improved Livestock Productivity and Farmers-Herders’ coexistence: option or imperative for Nigeria? This is in line with 2SCALE’s interventions in the dairy sector in Nigeria, particularly in pasture development activities in Paikon Kore and Bobi grazing reserve regions.

In attendance were Professor Ibisime Etela, representing the Vice-Chancellor University of Port Harcourt, Deputy Vice-Chancellor University of Abuja, Professor CBI Alawa, and Professor J T Amodu from the Forage unit of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. Dignitaries from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Livestock Feed Companies and Federal Ministry of Science and Technology were also present. Student representatives from the University of Port Harcourt, faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine also participated.

During 2SCALE’s presentation, the Partnership Facilitator for the Nestle Partnership, Mr. Mohamed Zailani highlighted how the program is working towards rangeland development. Of key focus was demonstrating how through the partnership, there is improved pasture in pastoral husbandry systems, resulting in increased milk productivity.

If you are not producing your own feed you have no control of 66% of your business, you have no control of the quality of your feed, and you have no control of pricing of the most important inputs. Converting homegrown forages into milk is key to successful dairying.

Mr. Zailani highlighted during his presentation.

He further demonstrated how improved pasture in pastoral husbandry systems can increase milk productivity. As part of the interventions in this partnership, Fulani pastoralists in Paikon Kore are formed into cooperatives. Each cooperative has so far dedicated at least 2 hectares of land for improved pasture, particularly Napier and Brachiaria grass. Through such improved fodder crops, it has become evident that the use of good quality feed can significantly increase milk yield. Indigenous cows feeding on Napier grass increase milk yield 3.5 liters per day, from the previous 2.5 liters.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt in his welcome address said the conference is timely given that Nigeria is looking for concrete solutions to the problem of conflicts between crop farmers and cattle herders. He urged the participants to provide practical solutions backed by proven research.

Professor CBI Alawa in his presentation titled Setting the agenda for technology-driven grassland-based Animal Agriculture in Nigeria recommended the use of technologies like GPS and GIS, as well as reviewing training curriculums in universities to train graduates of range management. He also emphasized the need for applied grassland monitoring and evaluation, and a deliberate policy from governments at all the tiers (Federal, State, and local government) to designate more areas as grazing reserves to prevent encroachment by crop farmers.

Professor S A Ohwofa from private Company, Nutrivitas Nigeria Ltd in his presentation Profitability of Forage enterprises and grasslands in Nigeria concluded that building on what other organizations are doing to promote efficient grassland utilization like dairy development will push the government to re-think on the commercialization of grazing reserves rather than living it as no man’s land (communal grazing system). He commended the efforts that 2SCALE has made and called for close collaboration with SOGREDEN.

At the end of the conference the key take-homes were:

- There is increased need to strengthen partnerships with relevant stakeholders who have direct engagement with grassland users,

- There is a need to establish a grassland management institute in Nigeria, and,

- Integrating digital technologies to aid grassland productivity is key to achieving maximum productivity.

On the last day, a communique was issued, and final copies will be shared with the relevant government bodies for actions on the recommendations.

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