Agroforestry and Crop–Animal Integration: A Regenerative Framework for Sustainable Organic Livestock Systems in Nigeria
Faniyi Oluwashinaayo Paul
ABSTRACT
The sustainability crisis affecting livestock production systems across Sub-Saharan Africa has i ntensified concerns regarding soil degradation, biodiversity loss, climate vulnerability, and overdependence on external agricultural inputs. Conventional livestock systems often operate wit hin fragmented production models that separate crop cultivation, animal husbandry, and ecological management, thereby weakening long-term resilience. This study examines the ecological and economic significance of agroforestry and crop–animal integration as a regenerative model for organic livestock systems in Southwestern Nigeria. Using observational and comparative assessments conducted across five integrated organic farms between 2022 and 2024, the study evaluates soil fertility, biodiversity, livestock performance, microclimatic regulation, and input-output efficiency relative to non-integrated systems. Findings indicate that integrated farms recorded substantial improvements in soil organic matter, biodiversity, heat stress reduction, nutrient cycling, and economic diversification. Integrated systems also reduced dependence on external feed and fertilizer inputs while enhancing resilience against climatic variability. The study argues that agroforestry-based livestock systems provide a viable pathway toward sustainable food production, ecological restoration, and climate adaptation within resource-limited agricultural environments. The paper concludes that policymakers, agricultural extension institutions, and organic farming movements should prioritize integrated agroecological systems as foundational models for future livestock development in Africa.
