Crop-Livestock Reciprocity and Resource use Outcomes of Land use Dynamics in the Jakiri SODEPA Ranch

Abstract

Multiple opportunities exist in resource exploitation in grazing areas in the North West Region and notably in the SODEPA ranch officially gazetted in 1974. Due to population growth in the neighboring Jakiri town and in the villages of Guartang, Ntar, Taron, and Kitsenjam and the quest of improvements in management, there has been a necessity in land use change to respond to farming demands, livelihood improvement, woody bushes, weed infestation and an overhaul in ranch management. We therefore search for clarity by examining the actors and strategies involve in land use change and the resource use outcomes of the implicated strategies. Data was collected through secondary and primary sources. Primary sources include direct field observation and key informant interviews. Questionnaires were administered in four villages around the ranch to collect quantitative data relating to management, accessibility, farming and grazing practices, as well as socio-economic and ecological implications of land use. Results show a marked integration of farmers within the ranch in a rational land use with an ameliorated crop-livestock reciprocal relationship. Crop-pasture phase shift is the main strategy with a net amelioration in crop production, development of better pastures and livestock products. The proceeds from this example can be exploited in rangeland improvement in the region to ameliorate farmer-grazing land use relations.