TITLE:
Socio-Economic and Technical Characteristics of Beef Cattle Breeding in Ndé Division, West Region of Cameroon
AUTHORS:
David Fokom Wauffo, Geraud C. Tasse Taboue, Brenda M. Tsana Nantia, Gina France Djoumessi Tobou, Elvis Ndukong Ndzi, Abdou S. Nsangou, Mohamed M. F. Ndebé, Brice H. T. Fokouong, Frank D. K. Wouembe, Suzy G. Tsoupou Kuete, Kingsley M. Tanyi, Kingsley A. Etchu, Fernand Tendongkeng
KEYWORDS:
Cattle Breeding, Socio-Economic, Breeding, Technical Characteristics, Constraints, Cameroon
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Animal Sciences,
Vol.13 No.3,
July
28,
2023
ABSTRACT: Insight is here provided into the socio-economic and technical
characteristics of cattle production in the Ndé Division (West Cameroon region). Using a semi-structured questionnaire,
information on the activity was assessed following onsite visits and
interviewing breeders. Through a random sampling scheme, 110 breeders in the
four subdivisions of the Ndé Division
were shadowed. The majority (98.18%) of breeders were men aged 20 to 40 and
married (91.82%). They belong to the Mbororo ethnic group, having cumulated more
than 10 years in the activity. Most respondents (50.91%) did not attend school and earn their living mainly from livestock
(78.18%). Cattle were raised for
sale and to feed the breeder’s family (77.27%). The main mode of acquisition
of animals was through inheritance (81.82%). The cattle breeds were mostly made up of white Fulani (70%), living in private
farms using a combination of stake and
barbed wires (67.27%) as fences. The combination of natural fodder and cooking salt was used by most breeders
(59.09%) as a daily ration. Reproduction was by natural mating (97.07%).
Parasites (internal and external) and foot-and-mouth disease were the main
diseases reported by the majority of farmers. Self-treatment (50%) was the main
prophylactic measure taken by farmers in case of disease symptoms. Cattle
herders faced several challenges, such as insufficient pasture
(67.27%), agro-pastoral conflicts (76.36%) and diseases (90.91%). Cattle breeding was rather a widespread activity with
no particular restriction.