Interaction Between Livestock And Crop Farming In Northern Nigeria: An Integrated Farming Systems Approach

Abstract

The study looked at the role of livestock and its interaction with crop production in an integrated crop-livestock farming system in Katsina State. Field data were collected through household survey of 120 respondent located in six villages in Katsina State. The result shows that there was a high level of crop-livestock integration among the smallholders in the study area. Livestock in the study area is important as a production factor, for subsistence, cash and as a source of wealth. Livestock was of prime importance in providing draft power and a source of savings and investment to the households. Also, output from livestock such as manure was intermediate product used for soil improvement for crop production. Animals, particularly small ruminant and poultry, were sold according to cash needs for household and crop inputs. They are also purchased as a source of savings investment for the households. Workbulls were commonly used for the various crop cultivation processes while donkeys were mainly used for carting and transportation. Crop residue supplementation accounted for about 70% of the total feed intake during the dry season. The study also revealed that livestock provided about 20% of the annual household income.

Keywords: Farming systems, crop residue, draught power, manure