Corralling Contract and the Land Use Relationship Between Pastoralists and Agriculturalists in Nigeria

“Corralling contract” is the indigenous fertilization system commonly practiced in the African Sahel and its southern periphery. In this chapter, the practice of the corralling contract between Fulani pastoralists and Nupe agriculturalists in the Bida region of Niger State of central Nigeria is examined. The study attempts to find out how the farmers and herders arrange the corralling contract, how they utilize this instrument, and how it influences their social relationship. Findings suggest that pastoral Fulani groups have different strategies to maintain socioeconomic relations with specific villages through the adoption of corralling contract in order to ensure resources entitlement. While some groups can well manipulate the relationships with various villages through the adoption of the corralling contract, some groups prefer a more stable situation and just get the minimum advantages. Higher social status, larger herd size and longer history of interaction that allow trust to be built are the factors contributing to the popularity and bargaining power of a pastoral group.