ASSESSMENT OF LIVESTOCK FEED RESOURCES AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN GUMEL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Livestock production plays a pivotal role in food security and rural livelihoods across semi-arid Nigeria, 
yet feed scarcity and management inefficiencies continue to constrain productivity. This study assessed the 
availability, utilization, and management of livestock feed resources and feeding systems in Gumel Local 
Government Area (LGA), Jigawa State. A mixed-method design using structured questionnaires and field 
observations was employed among 75 respondents across five (5) purposively selected wards. Data were 
analysed using descriptive statistics (mean, percentage) and inferential tests (Chi-square and one-way 
ANOVA) at the 0.05 significance level. Results revealed that crop residues (46.7 %), forage grasses (21.3 
%), and natural pastures (18.7 %) were the dominant feed resources. Free grazing (38.7 %) and herding 
(24.0 %) were the prevailing feeding systems. High feed costs (36.0 %) and feed shortages (32.0 %) were 
the most critical constraints. Chi-square tests showed significant relationships between farmers’ education 
level and livestock ownership type (χ² = 10.24, p < 0.05). Despite adaptive strategies such as hay 
conservation (78.7 %), feed supply remains inadequate. Policy-driven interventions in feed resource 
development and improved forage cultivation are recommended to enhance livestock productivity and 
rural sustainability.