Establishment and Development of Pasture, Rangeland and Grazing Reserves for Ruminant Production in Tropical Africa: A Review

¹*Kubkomawa H.I., and ²Abubakar S.N.

¹Department of Fisheries Technology, Federal Polytechnic, P.M.B 35, Mubi Adamawa State, Nigeria.

²Department of Animal Health and Production Technology, Federal Polytechnic, P.M.B 35, Mubi Adamawa State, Nigeria.

*Correspondent Authors’ Contact Details: E-mail Address ✉: kubkomawa@yahoo.com; Phone no ☎: (+234) 07066996221

The objective of the paper was to review the establishment and development of pasture, rangeland and grazing reserves for ruminant production in tropical Africa. Establishing a new pasture or renovating an existing pasture usually requires some management practices to get the forage grow quickly and vigorously. These include soil testing, correcting soil nutrient deficiencies, selecting species adapted to the specific area, implementing the correct seeding method and rate, implementing a weed control programme and using proper management to maintain a productive stand. Normally, in places where there are large expanses of land, land can be selected for establishment of pasture, range and grazing reserves just like selection of land for production of any other food crops. However, in situation where land is scarce, land which is unsuitable for crop production may be utilized as pasture, range and grazing reserves. This may include mountain slopes, arid lands, and plateaux. The success of improved pasture species is dependent on the availability of good quality seeds or planting materials. Harvesting and processing of pasture seeds are done with the aid of combine harvesters, binders, grain separators, strippers and sickles. In spite of the infertile soils and hostile climatic environment, ruminant livestock survival in Northern Nigeria largely still depends on the extensive native pastures, browses and crop residues found across and within the various agro-ecological zones. Nigeria’s forage and fodder species vary widely and are spread across the major agro-ecological zones of the country. Extensive areas of Nigeria’s grazing lands are composed of indigenous forage species with their various botanical characteristics. Most of the species grown, until recently, are of the indigenous or local varieties that often have very low yields. Long periods of cropping, rough topography and frequent bush burning, among other factors, have given rise to mixed tree, shrub and grass vegetation in the savannah zones of the country. The grasses are composed of both annuals and perennials, and the trees show features characteristic of plants growing in low rainfall areas. Various nutrients and minerals, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium among others, have also been found to be a key limiting factor in the proper development of forage and fodder crops, and hence the efficient utilization of these crops by livestock. The rate of acceptability of forage is related to the readiness to which the forage is selected and consumed.

Key words: Establishment, Pasture, Rangeland, Grazing Reserves, Ruminant, Tropical Africa.

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