By Salim Umar Ibrahim
Stakeholders in agriculture, climate resilience, and pastoral development converged at Bayero University, Kano, this week for the 5th International Conference on Drylands, hosted by the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA).
With the theme “Promoting Sustainability and Resilience of Rangelands: Present and Future Outlooks,” the three-day event spotlighted urgent environmental and socioeconomic challenges facing pastoralist communities in the Sahel and other dryland regions.
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Representing the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development, Eustace Iyayi, Special Assistant to Minister Idi Mukhtar Maiha, underscored the importance of policy alignment and immediate action in safeguarding rangelands.
“It’s been a great job since the ministry was created last year,” he said. “With respect to the conference that is going on, on rangelands, climate change and rangelands, because we know that the rangelands that we have are very useful to livestock, for livestock production, and they also sustain the livelihood of pastoralists. So whatever affects the rangeland affects the livelihood of pastoralists, as well as the economy of livestock, especially for the species that depend on pastures, water also.”
He described the ongoing scientific and policy discussions as instrumental in shaping the ministry’s intervention strategies.
“So the issues being discussed right from the opening keynote address and the scientific talks that are going to come are very important because they will help to shape not just the policy of government towards the management of this rangeland, but they can help us to shape the key action initiatives that need to be taken for us to have a sustainable environment for our livestock.”
Delving into specific priorities, Iyayi highlighted the reasons pastoralists are often forced to migrate, emphasizing the necessity of basic infrastructure.
“For livestock, the things that drive pastoralists to move from one place to another, as our minister always says, there are two key things. One is feed and fodder, and the other is water. If there is no feed, there is no grass for the animals, and there is no water for them, they have to move. So it’s a survivor mechanism. So that’s a key area that the minister is looking at, feed and fodder.”
He continued, “Another one is the health of the animals. There has to be a regime of very healthy animals in our country, and also the environment. So we’re also working on creating disease-compatible and disease-free zones. If we must have animals that are produced in an area that the meat is exportable.”
Breed improvement also featured prominently. “The animals’ productivity is low, and this is also a key area that is being looked upon. How do we improve the breed? Raise the meat production from two liters per cow per day we are having to about 10, 15, 20 liters. That’s a possibility. So this can be done through three methods. Natural mating, we have to have that. At fish insemination. And then the shortest of them, embryo transfer, which are key interventions that the minister is looking at.”
Iyayi added that the ministry is working with other agencies to address water scarcity. “And then, of course, the issue of water resources. Well, you know, this is a cross-cutting issue. And it has to be in collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources.”
He also announced a renewed commitment to revitalizing grazing reserves. “That is my discussion. I’ve also prepared for pastoralists. And another key activity is to resuscitate the grazing reserves. And as the minister has often said, I mean, the grazing reserves have been digitized. And infrastructures, map types, they are going to be resuscitated. And in demonstration of that, we already launched the livestock village.”
“It was the grazing reserve of the two states last year. That has been widely reported. And it’s a model that is building to ensure that pastoralists are settled in the grazing reserve. Not only to herd animals, they can also get involved in other enterprises, like crop production, as well as fodder production, in the grazing reserve. And it is the belief of the Honorable Minister that this is vigorously pursued.”
He concluded: “And of course, the grazing reserves also have head dams that are going to be resuscitated to solve the issue of water. And the Honorable Minister believes that if this is actively pursued, it is going to lessen the problem of farmers and rescuers.”
Earlier, welcoming delegates from across Africa and beyond, Professor Jibrin M. Jibrin, Director of the CDA, described the conference as a timely platform to drive action.
“It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the 5th International Conference on Drylands, hosted by the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University, Kano, in collaboration with our valued partners. On behalf of the CDA team, I extend a warm and heartfelt greeting to every one of you researchers, policymakers, development partners, pastoralist groups, private sector actors, and all friends of the drylands—who have traveled from near and far to be part of this important gathering.”
“This year’s conference theme, ‘Promoting Sustainability and Resilience of Rangelands: Present and Future Outlooks,’ could not have been more timely. It clearly reflects our collective commitment to supporting rangeland systems and pastoralist communities that serve as the backbone of livelihoods and ecological stability across the Sahel and other dryland regions.”
Professor Jibrin highlighted the CDA’s role since its founding, noting it had become a beacon for research and innovation. “Since its inception, the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, established as an Africa Centre of Excellence through the support of the MacArthur Foundation, the World Bank and Agence Française de Développement (AFD), has worked tirelessly to become a regional hub for research, training, and innovation tailored to the unique challenges of the drylands of West and Central Africa.”
He added, “Today, we are building on that legacy, convening minds and mobilizing action around one of the most pressing challenges of our time: the degradation of rangelands and the vulnerability of pastoralist communities in the face of climate change, insecurity, desertification, and marginalization.”
Echoing these sentiments, the Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, lauded the interdisciplinary nature of the conference and its potential to yield transformative results.
“Let me begin by extending our heartfelt gratitude to all of you—academics, researchers, development practitioners, policy makers, private sector partners, and community representatives—who have travelled far and near to participate in this important gathering. Your presence is not only a testament to the significance of this conference but also a reflection of our shared commitment to addressing the complex and pressing issues facing dryland regions across Africa and the world.”
“As Vice-Chancellor, I am particularly proud of the interdisciplinary and inclusive nature of this conference. Over the next few days, you will engage in plenary sessions, technical presentations, high-level policy dialogues, exhibitions, and field visits, all designed to spark new ideas, strengthen networks, and generate solutions.”
As the conference continues, participants are expected to explore further the intricate linkages between ecological resilience, livestock production, and national food systems—towards building a more sustainable future for drylands across Africa.
