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Prospects of Agrivoltaics as a Sustainable Mitigation Solution to the Nomadic Cattle Rearing Crisis in Nigeria: A Review
Review Article | Published: 08 December 2025
Agricultural Science and Food Processing Volume 2, Issue 4, 2025: 148-172
Volume 2, Issue 4, Agricultural Science and Food Processing
Volume 2, Issue 4, 2025
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Agricultural Science and Food Processing, Volume 2, Issue 4, 2025: 148-172

Open Access | Review Article | 08 December 2025
Prospects of Agrivoltaics as a Sustainable Mitigation Solution to the Nomadic Cattle Rearing Crisis in Nigeria: A Review
by
Chinedu Christian Anyene Chinedu Christian Anyene 1
Daniel Olisaeloka Udorah Daniel Olisaeloka Udorah 1
Patience Stella Nsofor Patience Stella Nsofor 1
Nnaemeka Reginald Nwakuba Nnaemeka Reginald Nwakuba 2 *
1 Department of Agricultural and Bio-environmental Engineering, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Nigeria
2 Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
* Corresponding Author: Nnaemeka Reginald Nwakuba, [email protected]
DOI: 10.62762/ASFP.2025.763200
ARK: ark:/57805/asfp.2025.763200
Received: 12 August 2025, Accepted: 26 September 2025, Published: 08 December 2025  
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Abstract
The ongoing conflict between herdsmen and farmers across different regions in Nigeria over scarce natural resources continues to generate disputes that threaten the lives and property of citizens. The impact of this crisis is now escalating to a level that significantly endangers the country's socio-economic development and overall security. It is essential to explore technological solutions that can sustain both herdsmen and farmers in their respective activities while making the best use of limited land resources. This study investigates the potential of agrivoltaics as a strategy to address Nigeria's nomadic cattle rearing challenges. A review of existing literature was conducted on the severity and implications of the nomadic cattle rearing crisis, along with the possibilities of applying agrivoltaic technology to cattle grazing systems. The technology involves a series of rack systems and photovoltaic panels installed based on the geographic coordinates and local climate conditions. The panels provide shade over grazing land, serving dual purposes: protecting livestock from heat stress caused by direct sun exposure and generating electrical energy for use on the same land. With optimal environmental conditions, structural compatibility, efficient photovoltaic configurations, and collaborative research, agrivoltaics emerges as a promising innovative technology capable of effectively addressing the issues associated with nomadic cattle rearing in Nigeria. This approach aligns with global efforts to produce clean, eco-friendly energy and to maximize the utilization of limited agricultural land to meet the rising food demands of the growing population. Additionally, agrivoltaics is compatible with both Industry 4.0 and 5.0, as it allows the integration of smart sensing and automatic systems for real-time monitoring of cattle behaviour, facilitating more effective rearing practices. Recommendations for sustainable agrivoltaic practices in Nigeria are also outlined.
Graphical Abstract
Prospects of Agrivoltaics as a Sustainable Mitigation Solution to the Nomadic Cattle Rearing Crisis in Nigeria: A Review
Keywords
agrivoltaics
crisis
cattle rearing
ranching system
Data Availability Statement
Not applicable.
Funding
This work was supported without any funding.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate
Not applicable.
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Cite This Article
APA Style
Anyene, C. C., Udorah, D. O., Nsofor, P. S., & Nwakuba, N. R. (2025). Prospects of Agrivoltaics as a Sustainable Mitigation Solution to the Nomadic Cattle Rearing Crisis in Nigeria: A Review. Agricultural Science and Food Processing, 2(4), 148–172. https://doi.org/10.62762/ASFP.2025.763200
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TY  - JOUR
AU  - Anyene, Chinedu Christian
AU  - Udorah, Daniel Olisaeloka
AU  - Nsofor, Patience Stella
AU  - Nwakuba, Nnaemeka Reginald
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/11/08
TI  - Prospects of Agrivoltaics as a Sustainable Mitigation Solution to the Nomadic Cattle Rearing Crisis in Nigeria: A Review
JO  - Agricultural Science and Food Processing
T2  - Agricultural Science and Food Processing
JF  - Agricultural Science and Food Processing
VL  - 2
IS  - 4
SP  - 148
EP  - 172
DO  - 10.62762/ASFP.2025.763200
UR  - https://www.icck.org/article/abs/ASFP.2025.763200
KW  - agrivoltaics
KW  - crisis
KW  - cattle rearing
KW  - ranching system
AB  - The ongoing conflict between herdsmen and farmers across different regions in Nigeria over scarce natural resources continues to generate disputes that threaten the lives and property of citizens. The impact of this crisis is now escalating to a level that significantly endangers the country's socio-economic development and overall security. It is essential to explore technological solutions that can sustain both herdsmen and farmers in their respective activities while making the best use of limited land resources. This study investigates the potential of agrivoltaics as a strategy to address Nigeria's nomadic cattle rearing challenges. A review of existing literature was conducted on the severity and implications of the nomadic cattle rearing crisis, along with the possibilities of applying agrivoltaic technology to cattle grazing systems. The technology involves a series of rack systems and photovoltaic panels installed based on the geographic coordinates and local climate conditions. The panels provide shade over grazing land, serving dual purposes: protecting livestock from heat stress caused by direct sun exposure and generating electrical energy for use on the same land. With optimal environmental conditions, structural compatibility, efficient photovoltaic configurations, and collaborative research, agrivoltaics emerges as a promising innovative technology capable of effectively addressing the issues associated with nomadic cattle rearing in Nigeria. This approach aligns with global efforts to produce clean, eco-friendly energy and to maximize the utilization of limited agricultural land to meet the rising food demands of the growing population. Additionally, agrivoltaics is compatible with both Industry 4.0 and 5.0, as it allows the integration of smart sensing and automatic systems for real-time monitoring of cattle behaviour, facilitating more effective rearing practices. Recommendations for sustainable agrivoltaic practices in Nigeria are also outlined.
SN  - 3066-1579
PB  - Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge
LA  - English
ER  -
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@article{Anyene2025Prospects,
  author = {Chinedu Christian Anyene and Daniel Olisaeloka Udorah and Patience Stella Nsofor and Nnaemeka Reginald Nwakuba},
  title = {Prospects of Agrivoltaics as a Sustainable Mitigation Solution to the Nomadic Cattle Rearing Crisis in Nigeria: A Review},
  journal = {Agricultural Science and Food Processing},
  year = {2025},
  volume = {2},
  number = {4},
  pages = {148-172},
  doi = {10.62762/ASFP.2025.763200},
  url = {https://www.icck.org/article/abs/ASFP.2025.763200},
  abstract = {The ongoing conflict between herdsmen and farmers across different regions in Nigeria over scarce natural resources continues to generate disputes that threaten the lives and property of citizens. The impact of this crisis is now escalating to a level that significantly endangers the country's socio-economic development and overall security. It is essential to explore technological solutions that can sustain both herdsmen and farmers in their respective activities while making the best use of limited land resources. This study investigates the potential of agrivoltaics as a strategy to address Nigeria's nomadic cattle rearing challenges. A review of existing literature was conducted on the severity and implications of the nomadic cattle rearing crisis, along with the possibilities of applying agrivoltaic technology to cattle grazing systems. The technology involves a series of rack systems and photovoltaic panels installed based on the geographic coordinates and local climate conditions. The panels provide shade over grazing land, serving dual purposes: protecting livestock from heat stress caused by direct sun exposure and generating electrical energy for use on the same land. With optimal environmental conditions, structural compatibility, efficient photovoltaic configurations, and collaborative research, agrivoltaics emerges as a promising innovative technology capable of effectively addressing the issues associated with nomadic cattle rearing in Nigeria. This approach aligns with global efforts to produce clean, eco-friendly energy and to maximize the utilization of limited agricultural land to meet the rising food demands of the growing population. Additionally, agrivoltaics is compatible with both Industry 4.0 and 5.0, as it allows the integration of smart sensing and automatic systems for real-time monitoring of cattle behaviour, facilitating more effective rearing practices. Recommendations for sustainable agrivoltaic practices in Nigeria are also outlined.},
  keywords = {agrivoltaics, crisis, cattle rearing, ranching system},
  issn = {3066-1579},
  publisher = {Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge}
}
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