Assessing Farm-Land Expansion Along Historical Pastoral Routes: An Evidence from Daura Community, Fune Local Government Area Yobe State

Pastoral corridors are vital to sustaining pastoralist livelihoods, enabling seasonal livestock mobility across semi-arid landscapes. However, these routes face increasing threats from agricultural expansion, urbanization, and infrastructural development. This study assesses the extent, spatial pattern, and projected trajectory of pastoral corridor encroachment in Daura Community, located in Fune Local Government Area of Yobe State, Nigeria. Using historical satellite imagery from Google Earth Pro (2000, 2010, and 2020), land use classifications—cropland, bare land, and built-up areas—were analyzed with ArcGIS 10.8. Graphical visualizations and descriptive statistics illustrated land use trends, complemented by qualitative insights from key informant interviews. Results show a marked transformation: in 2000, bare land comprised 85% and cropland 15%. By 2020, cropland expanded to 79% while bare land reduced to 17%, indicating significant pastoral space encroachment. These changes are driven by demographic pressure, food insecurity, and agricultural policy shifts, notably restrictions on food imports. Linear projections to 2040 suggest this trend will continue: bare land is expected to decline further to 1.14 km² (an 88% reduction from 2020), while cropland may rise to 60.4 km². Built-up areas are projected to grow to 3.1 km², compounding land use pressure. These findings underscore the urgency of addressing tensions between farming and pastoralism amid competing land demands and environmental fragility. The study calls for inclusive, sustainable land management strategies that protect pastoral corridors, promote equitable land access, and support the ecological and socio-economic resilience of pastoralist communities in Nigeria’s semi-arid zone.