ADOPTION OF PASTURE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY BY NIGERIAN LIVESTOCK FARMERS: THE NEED FOR PARADIGM SHIFT FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD. A REVIEW

Abstract

The bulk feeds consumed by the animals comes from rangeland or pasture. Nigeria has about 93 million hectares of which 40 million are offered for grazing by national herdsmen under permanent pasture. It is expected that only about 3% of over 101 million domestic ruminants in Nigeria are raised on improved pastures; the remaining 97% are raised on low nutrient native pastures. The poor performance of ruminant in Nigeria has been attributed to large need on natural pastures which on several occasions has been stated to be low both in quality and quantity of nutrients composition. This paper is a review of the adoption of pasture production technology by livestock farmers. A critical review of this pasture production technology adoption is vital for their increased animal production and improvement in national development. Concept of rangeland and pasture, adoption of pasture production technology in Nigeria and the way forward for adoption of pasture production technology among Livestock Farmers were key areas looked into. From the review it was concluded that pasture production is an integral part of livestock production and livestock production is based on natural pasture as the major sources of feed for their animals in Nigeria. It is recommended that, the extension specialists through extension agents should mobilize and synergize their efforts by establishing good and effective networking and linkages in various rangeland/pasture projects by government.