Assessing Pastoralists’ Patronage of Gongoshi and Nyibango Grazing Reserves in Adamawa State

Abstract

Background and Objective: This paper examined the patronage of grazing reserves by pastoralists in Adamawa State. This study was aimed at evaluating the level of patronage of the grazing reserves by pastoralists since its establishment, to examine the pattern of grazing among the pastoralists and to appraise the available infrastructure in the two grazing reserves. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in two of the pilot grazing reserves in the State. Grazing reserves were primarily established to solve the problem of transhumance, improve the welfare of the nomadic pastoralists and their herds and formalize the land tenure right of the pastoralists. They offer the security of tenure as an inducement for sedentarisation by providing land for grazing and a permanent water supply. Primary data were collected through Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and with the aid of a scheduled interview. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data collected. Results: There was a high level of patronage of the two reserves at their inception, but the trend was declining due to resource scarcity and inadequacy and dilapidating infrastructure. Conclusion: Government efforts in the establishment of grazing reserves have succeeded in transforming livestock production from a nomadic into a transhumance system.