(a) Draw a sketch map of Nigeria. On the map, show and name: (i) two areas important for cattle rearing; (ii) one town in any of the areas shown in (a) (i) ...

(a) Sketch map of Nigeria showing cattle-rearing areas

The shaded and labelled areas are the Sokoto Plains in the north-west and the Mambilla Plateau in the east. Sokoto is a town in one of the cattle-rearing areas shown.

(b) Factors which encourage cattle rearing in Northern Nigeria

1. Availability of pasture: The Guinea and Sudan savanna belts have extensive natural grassland which provides fodder for cattle.
2. Low tsetse-fly infestation: Much of the dry northern savanna is unsuitable for tsetse flies, reducing trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness in cattle.
3. Favourable climate: Rainfall is relatively low and the climate is less humid. This reduces problems such as foot rot and allows cattle to move about easily.
4. Large areas of open land and experienced herders: The relatively sparse population leaves wide, fairly level grazing land. The Fulani have a long tradition and skill in cattle rearing.

(c) Reasons cattle rearing is less important in Southern Nigeria

1. The humid forest belt has many tsetse flies which transmit trypanosomiasis to cattle.
2. Heavy rainfall and high humidity encourage diseases, including foot rot.
3. Dense forest, thick vegetation and intensive crop farming leave little open land or good pasture for grazing, and often cause conflict between herders and crop farmers.