KWSG Hosts Stakeholders on Geospatial Mapping of Transhumance Routes

In preparation for the commencement of the geospatial mapping of the transhumance routes exercise in the State, the Kwara State Government has organised a stakeholders' engagement with relevant stakeholders in the livestock sector of the State on Tuesday.

The event, which was facilitated by the Kwara State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) in partnership with the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) Bayero University Kano, was held at the E-Phoenix Hotel in Ilorin.

Speaking at the event, the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who was represented by the State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas said the initiative would significantly contribute to sustainable management of the State's livestock sector, improve rural livelihoods, and foster collaboration between key stakeholders in the livestock and agricultural value chain.

Governor AbdulRazaq noted that the challenges posed by climate change, population growth, and the expansion of human settlement have made it imperative to adopt a modern, sustainable, and science based approach to manage livestock and transhumance routes.

He described the move as a critical step forward in addressing the numerous challenges facing pastoralists and other stakeholders in the livestock sector, adding that the exercise would help to identify key transhumance routes, understand their dynamics and help enhance stakeholders' capacity to make informed decisions.

Highlighting the social and economic impacts of the mapping exercise, Governor AbdulRazaq said the project would enhance the productivity and profitability of livestock farming, address challenges in accessing grazing areas, water and help to mitigate conflicts.

The Senior Adviser and Councillor to the Governor, Alhaji Saadudeen Salau urged the State's Ministry of Livestock Development to work in synergy with the State L-PRES Project and ensure that the outcome of the exercise is cascaded to the local government authorities and other critical stakeholders at the grassroot for better results.

He appreciated the State government, under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his unwavering effort at providing an enabling environment for livestock business and commended the Centre for Dryland Agriculture's technical support towards actualising the State government's vision for the sector.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Alhaji AbdulRasaq Jidda explained that the mapping exercise would go a long way in assisting to reduce the fundamental causes of farmers and herders conflict in the State by identifying areas of needs and intervention.

In his presentation, the CDA team lead, Professor Muritala Gbadamosi disclosed that the goal of the exercise is to enhance livestock management and conflict prevention through geospatial mapping and participatory planning with major focus on livestock density, cropland extent,  transhumance corridors, and herd mobility.

According to him, the  exercise would help government and its development partners to have a better understanding of where to intervene in the areas of critical needs such as water points, animal health infrastructures and peace building efforts.

Other contributors at the discussion were the General Manager, Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP), Dr. Abdulwasiu Tejidini;  Kwara State Chairman of Jowuros, Alhaji Tijani Usman; representatives of the security apparatus in the State; representatives of the Maiyeti Allah Association and representatives of other relevant MDAs.

Yusuf Ganiyu Adebisi 

Project Communication and ICT Officer 

Kwara L-PRES