Ardo Umar Wuro Jauro in Kangere, an outskirt community of Bauchi, the capital of Bauchi state could be seen as an exemplary leader for herders who want to transition from the traditional way of cattle rearing to the modern method of animal husbandry.
By adopting modern grazing practices that defy the age-old traditions of nomadic herding, Umar is charting a path to sustainable agriculture and improved livelihoods.
His adoption of modern animal husbandry opened for him a window for success and made his life better.
Unlike the traditional nomadic lifestyle passed down through generations, Umar practices a semi-intensive grazing method.
His cows graze freely within nearby environments but return daily to feed on hay and straw he preserved.
This approach is not only less stressful but also allows him to maximize productivity.
“This method has transformed my life. I can now provide for my family and send my children to school for formal education,” Umar told WikkiTimes during an interview at his residence at Kangere.
The Economic Benefits
Ardo Umar’s venture into modern animal husbandry has become a lucrative enterprise. A milk-processing device, installed at his ranch, refines hundreds of litres of cow milk daily.
The facility also serves as a hub for neighbouring herders, who bring their milk for processing, thereby generating additional income for Umar.
“On average, I sell about 100 litres of processed milk at N700 per litre daily. During the rainy season, the volume triples, as much as 300 to 400 litres” he added.
Apart from milk, he also engages in cross-breeding to produce healthier and more productive cows, enhancing his agricultural methods beyond traditional practices.
The processing engine separates milk oil from pure cow milk, while another device processes the oil into finished products for marketing and consumption.
This level of technological integration is rare among traditional herders but is proof of the benefits of embracing innovation.
The Role of Fadama III Project
Umar credits the World Bank-supported Fadama III Project as the catalyst for his business transformation.
“About two decades ago, we attended workshops organized by various agencies under the Fadama III Project. They introduced us to this modern method, and I embraced it wholeheartedly,” he explained.
The project’s emphasis on workshops and capacity building helped herders like Umar understand the need for sustainable practices, particularly in the face of climate change and diminishing grazing lands.
Umar’s ranched cows produce more milk and calves than those in traditional systems. he said the dung generated is also a valuable resource for farming, further enhancing agricultural productivity and income.
Children Become Practicing Vets
One of the most transformative aspects of his journey is the impact on his family and community. With the profits from his ranch being static, he has enrolled his children in formal schools.
Some have even become practising veterinarians, contributing their expertise to improve cattle health and management.
“This new way of life has allowed us to prioritize schooling for our children, ensuring a better future for them and our community.”
His success is inspiring others in his community and beyond to reconsider traditional methods. “We were few when we started, but now many are seeing the benefits and adopting this approach,” he said. “It’s a solution to the crises of limited land and farmer-herder conflicts.”
Umar emphasized that while the modern method of cattle rearing has numerous benefits, including increased milk production and reduced stress on grazing lands, it also comes with challenges, particularly regarding food provision.
Addressing Challenges
The impact of climate change has been profound in Northern Nigeria and beyond. Scarce grazing lands and escalating farmer-herder conflicts have pushed herders to seek alternatives.
“We were warned 30 years ago that grazing lands would fade, and we needed an alternative,” Umar said. “This method is the alternative, and it is far more profitable.
“Persistent movement from North to South and back to North is tedious, risky and now not sustainable.”
He stressed that despite the numerous advantages, challenges persist. Feeding the cows with a balanced diet requires considerable resources. “Cows, like humans, require a balanced diet with different varieties to achieve optimal production,” he explained.
According to him, it involves ensuring the cows receive adequate nutrients through a mix of hays, straws, and supplementary feeds, which can be costly and difficult to source consistently.
Unlike traditional grazing methods, where cattle roam freely to find food, the modern semi-intensive system demands that herders actively plan and provide for the cows’ dietary needs, especially during the dry season when natural pastures are scarce.
Umar said the cost of acquiring high-quality feed poses a financial strain, particularly for herders transitioning from subsistence-level practices.
Moreover, storing and preserving feed, particularly in rural settings with inadequate infrastructure, requires investment in equipment and proper storage facilities to prevent spoilage.
This need for upfront capital can deter many herders from fully embracing the modern method, despite its long-term benefits.
He also pointed to the rising cost of veterinary care and feed additives necessary to maintain the health and productivity of cows in this system.
While his children, some of whom are now trained veterinarians, help mitigate this challenge, other herders without such resources might find it difficult to address health-related issues in their livestock.
However, the septuagenarian believes that the benefits far outweigh the challenges. “It’s about making a sustainable investment for long-term gains,” maintaining that despite challenges, he remains optimistic and encourages others to adopt the method.
“We have been told for decades that grazing lands are fading, and this is the alternative. It’s not without challenges, but it’s worth the effort.”
For decades, advocates of the modern method of animal farming maintained that the adoption of these practices has the potential to reduce conflicts, particularly the farmer/herder clashes, improve livelihoods, and boost the economy.
A Model for Transforming Pastoralism
With this type of modern practices in livestock farming and management, Ardo Umar presents a perfect example of how nomads and their age-old business practices can learn to adapt to changing realities and improve their earnings.
WikkiTimes has over the years reported that farmer-herder conflicts across the North have been recurring partly due to the struggle for land resources between the partners.
But with little incentives similar to this, many conflicts related to herding-farming would be greatly reduced across the country.
