Pastoral farmers’ knowledge, attitude and proficiency on pasture establishment in Nigeria

Pastoralism is a common form of animal husbandry in Africa, where farmers depend solely on wild pasture to feed their animals, though this may not guarantee year-round availability of pasture. Pasture establishment to grow pasture presents an alternative means. Thus, understanding farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and proficiency in pasture establishment practices is crucial to promoting the initiative. The objective of the study was to examine pastoral farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, practices, and constraints related to pasture establishment in Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive research survey design. A total of 205 pastoral farmers were selected through multi-stage sampling. A validated and reliable interview schedule was employed to collect primary data. Descriptive statistics and Pearson Correlation were used to analyze the collected data. Findings reveal that pastoral farmers had low knowledge but positive attitudes towards pasture establishment, lacked the required proficiency to engage in pasture establishment practices, and faced critical insecurity and affective constraints that limited adoption of pasture establishment. This study underscores the urgent need to leverage pastoral farmers’ favorable disposition toward pasture establishment to provide a lasting solution to perennial resource-induced conflicts between pastoral and crop farmers. Empowering pastoral farmers with the requisite knowledge, skills, and tools for efficient pasture establishment through dedicated training and rural advisory services is a priority for enabling sustainable livelihoods. The practical value of this research lies in delineating specific barriers that must be addressed to unlock the potential of pasture establishment as an alternative land-use and conflict-mitigation strategy in the region.