The study was carried out from November 18 to December 20, 2023, in the province of Barh-El-Ghazel. This province is located in the Sahelian zone of Chad (Figure 1). It is characterized by an alternating dry season of 8 to 9 months (October to May) and a rainy season of 3 to 4 months (June to September). Average temperatures range from 7.3˚C (in January) to 47.2˚C (in May). Air humidity reaches a maximum in August (up to 77% on average) and a minimum in February-March (25%), with annual average values of 30 to 40%. The vegetation is strongly influenced by the prevailing semi-desert climate in the study area. The dunes and sandy plateaus are covered by a shrubby steppe, dominated by species such as Acaciaraddiana.A.Senegal, and Balanitesaegyptica, with a sparse carpet of annual grasses such as cenchrusbiflorus, Eragrotistremula, and Aristidamutabilis, or perennials like Panicumturgidum, aristidapallida, Cyperusconglomeratus.

Local populations primarily rely on pastoral and agropastoral farming, as rainfed agriculture is limited by climatic conditions. The breeding of the Sahelian Black-Haired Sheep is particularly widespread due to its hardiness and adaptability.

Figure 1. Area of the study on the socioeconomic characteristics of the MSPN.

2.2.1. Sampling

The study was conducted using a two-stage sampling method including selection of study sites (villages) (definition of the study population) and determination of the number of farms to be surveyed (sample size).

Thus, the importance of livestock farming under the Ministry of National Parks and Wildlife (MSPN) was the primary factor guiding the selection of study sites. These sites are distributed across five (5) departments in the province of Barh-el-Gazel (Figure 1), which are:

Barh-el-Ghazel EAST (Amsilep, Dolock, Eberia and Kandara);Barh-el-Ghazel North (Andrabady, Bir Gossi, Dougoulanga, Eberaye, Eke Nguilaye, Goz- BilaMandjoura, Salal, Toumia and Tourguoi);Barh-el-Ghazel South (Fandassiye, Gaba and Hile Djedite);Barh-el-Ghazel West (Billigoni and Mouzaragui) thirteen;Kléta (Michemire).

The determination of the study sample size was done according to the formula of Schwartz Daniel (1963):

With

N is the sample size;z is the confidence level, generally z = 1.96 at a 95% confidence interval;p is the initial level of the indicators;e is the margin of error.

Given the choice of the area of high concentration of MSPN farms, the chosen values of e and p are e = 0.05 and p = 0.92. The calculated sample size n is n = 113.3.

Given the realities on the ground, particularly the reluctance of farmers, the survey focused on a sample of 110 livestock farms from the MSPN.

The 110 farms originate from seventy (70) camps, thirty-two (32) villages, and eight (8) towns. The distribution by department is shown in Figure 2:

Figure 2. Distribution of surveyed farms by department.

2.2.2. Investigations

A formal, cross-sectional survey, conducted in a single visit, was organized for data collection. Farms were selected randomly based on voluntary and spontaneous participation. Individual interviews were conducted on the farms (camps) in the presence of the animals with the leaders or members who had agreed to participate. The data collected focused on the characteristics of the MSPN livestock system, particularly through its livestock farming and herd centers as well as their interface. Specifically, the following data were collected:

Livestock farming center: farm situations and the socio-cultural characteristics of livestock farmers including type of place, sex, marital status, ethnic group, education level, decision level, religious beliefs, main farm activities, if livestock farming is the main activity, why?Herd center: demographic characteristics of the herd (composition by age group and sex), herd dynamics;Interface between breeder and herd: breeding practices (aggregation, housing, feeding practices, reproduction, care, management labor), and renewal practices.

The statistical processing of the data was carried out using SPSS version 25 software. Descriptive statistic was used to determine frequencies and percentages, and means and standard deviations, respectively for the qualitative and the quantitative variables of the categories.

Nine variables, each with at least one category, were used to assess the socio-demographic characteristics of livestock farmers in the MSPN. Table 1 presents the numbers and proportions of categories for the different variables according to the departments.

Table 1. Socio-demographic characteristics of breeders of the Sahelian Black-Haired Sheep (MSPN).

The results indicated that the raising of the Black-Haired Sahelian Sheep (MSPN) in the Barh-El-Gazel province is predominantly carried out by men (over 80% across all departments). Female participation remains low, although it is relatively more pronounced in South Barh-El-Gazel. These herders are mainly located in villages in East Barh-El-Gazel, West Barh-El-Gazel, and Kleta, while they live in camps in North Barh-El-Gazel and in camps and towns in South Barh-El-Gazel. They are 100% of the “Gurane” ethnic group, Muslim, and livestock farming is their primary activity. The majority are married, illiterate, or have attended coranic school.

The composition of the livestock (average per capita, extremum and standard deviation) of the respondents by sex and by department is presented in Table 2.

Table 2. Herd structure by sex and department.

mi = minimum; ma = maximum; SD = standard deviation.

The livestock raised includes sheep, goats, cattle, camels, horses, donkeys, and poultry. However, sheep are the dominant species in all departments, followed by goats and cattle. Donkeys, although present in small numbers, represent the fourth most common livestock species. The number of horses is relatively low compared to the other species that constitute the livestock. The results also showed that camels are more specific to the Barh-El-Gazel North.

Figure 3 shows the proportions of the different animal management methods (single specie or association of species) according to the departments studied.

Figure 3. Animal management practices in the surveyed farms.

Livestock herds are predominantly mixed across all departments. Pure sheep farms are found in small numbers in three departments, namely Barh-El-Gazel East, Barh-El-Gazel North, and Barh-El-Gazel West. Mixed farms raising only small ruminants are found in Kleta, while mixed farms raising small ruminants and cattle, and small ruminants and camels, are found in Barh-El-Gazel North and South, respectively.

3.4.1. Ownership and Acquisition of Herds

The numbers and frequencies of the modalities of belonging and acquisition of the MSPN are presented in Table 3.

Table 3 shows that the MSPN herds mostly belong to the respondents. Inheritance is the primary method of acquisition, followed by entrusting herds which is mainly practiced in the Barh-El-Gazel North Department.

3.4.2. Composition of the Sahelian Black-Haired Sheep Herd

Table 4 below shows that the total number of females is greater than that of males in all departments. This predominance is evident from the age of three. The number of males is higher in the range between 0 and 2 years age group.

Table 3. Ownership and acquisition of herds of Sahelian Black Hair Sheep.

Table 4. Composition by age group and sex of herd of Sahelian Black-Haired Sheep.

mi = minimum; ma = maximum; SD = standard deviation.

3.4.3. MSPN Herd Dynamics

The dynamics of herd entry are dominated by births, with a slight superiority of females, thus promoting the natural renewal of the herd (Table 5).

On the other hand, the exit dynamic concerns almost exclusively males through sale (Table 6), while females are rarely sold, slaughtered, or given away. Mortality remains relatively low but tends to be higher among adult females in certain areas, which may be likely due to food and health constraints.

Table 5. Entry movement into herds of the Sahelian Black-Haired Sheep and sex.

mi = minimum; ma = maximum; SD = standard deviation.

Table 6. Outing movements in Sahelian Black-Haired Sheep herds and sex.

mi = minimum; ma = maximum; SD = standard deviation.

3.4.4. Conduct of the MSPN

Table 7 below shows that Sahelian Black-Haired Sheep are mostly or entirely housed outdoors in the Eastern, Northern, and Southern Departments, or in rudimentary shelters (thorny enclosures) in the Western Department. Herds are kept in free-range barns in all Departments. The most common management practice is natural grazing during the day and returning to the farms in the evening. Small-scale transhumance is practiced in the North, while in the South, both small-scale transhumance and sedentary farming are practiced, with the latter being more prevalent.

Table 7. Habitat and feeding practices of Sahelian Black-Haired Sheep.

3.4.5. Type of Labor Used in Managing the Herds of the Sahelian Black Hair Sheep

The results of this study indicated that the MSPN driving workforce is exclusively family-based in all Departments and is predominantly provided by young boys (Table 8).

Table 8. Type of labor used for herding the Sahelian Black-Haired Sheep.

3.4.6. Complementation to the Herds of Sahelian Black-Haired Sheep

Figure 4 shows that all respondents in the departments of Barh-El-Ghazel East, Barh-El-Ghazel West, and Kleta supplement their herds with MSPN. However, this supplementation is very rare in Barh-El-Ghazel North, while in Barh-El-Ghazel South, a significant proportion of herders do not supplement with MSPN.

3.4.7. Watering Methods

Depending on the watering methods, the results revealed that all herds of Sahelian Black-Haired Sheep are watered from wells and semi-permanent ponds (Table 9). Soil drains are also used in all departments except Kleta, which does not use them. However, during the dry season, the herds of the Sahelian Black-Haired Sheep drink exclusively from wells (Table 10).

Figure 4. Complementation to the herds of Sahelian Black-Haired Sheep.

Table 9. Watering methods during the rainy season.

Table 10. Watering methods during the dry season.