Suitability Site Selection Analysis for Grazing Areas in Yobe State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study uses statistical analysis and identifies viable, suitable, reliable criteria that can be adopted for the establishing grazing areas in Yobe state of Nigeria that can completely eliminate or at least prevent conflicts between the herdsmen and the farming communities. It reveals the ambiguity of what type of grazing land policy is needed vs. what type of grazing land policy is possible and give insights into suitability or not suitability of sitting it. Four hundred sample data was used for the study. From the survey, 38.8% of respondents prefer private ranching as against the present government grazing reserve for establishing grazing lands and it should be sited in each senatorial district of the state. The grazing area to be allocated should not be less than 900km2 in size. The study further reveals that there is a significant relationship between frequency of conflict verses frequency of herdsmen migration and education background. Further scientific research was recommended that can use remotely sensed images and topographical maps for the studying the grass above-ground biomass productivity and spatial distribution in the grazing areas so that the carrying capacities of the grazing reserves will be determined.