RETHINKING LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA DRYLANDS

Abstract

Livestock production and management in Nigeria dryland areas is important because the area produce larger percentage of livestock supply to Nigeria market but the areas receive the most threatening impacts of seasonal variability of pasture and rainfall. Seasonal variability impacts on livestock production and management result into poor pasture quality and quantity as well as shortage of water in sub-humid. semi- arid and arid agro-ecological zones of Nigeria dryland areas. During wet season in some dryland region there is usually sufficient quantity of pasture in good quality for animal consumption. But, during dry season, there is always insufficient quantity and quality pasture as well as shortage of water across all the areas for livestock consumption. As a result of these, exploration of resilience livestock production and management practices for dryland areas becomes highly desirable. But, unfortunately; there are scare information addressing these issues, therefore; this paper presents grounds for rethinking livestock ‘production systems in Nigeria dryland areas, impacts of seasonal variations on livestock production and management in Nigeria dryland areas as well as potential solutions to overcome the negative impacts of seasonal variations on livestock production and management in Nigeria dryland.