Traditional breeding of small ruminants in the North-West of Benin: practices and inventory of food resources

Abstract

The northern part of Benin is a favourite area for ruminant breeding in view of its pastoral resources and the many other assets it has at its disposal. The objectives of this study were (i) to characterize small ruminants rearing practices in north-western Benin, (ii) to assess factors that affect the described practices (iii) and to inventory the feed resources used in the ruminant breeding. To achieve these objectives, a retrospective survey was carried out in four municipalities located at north-west Benin. The results showed that sheep and goats are mostly raised by men (94.93%). Digestive disorders (90.41%) are the main diseases encountered. The results of linear regression analysis showed that sociocultural group and education level of the respondents have a significant influence on the mode of management and the practice of castration of small ruminants. Feeding was based on fodder from natural rangelands, notably Rottboellia cochinchinensis and Adenodolichos paniculatus. These fodders content respectively, 17.71% and 20.4% of Total Nitrogen Matter (TNM). Breeders used crop residues, notably legume tops, food processing residues and fodder trees during the lean season. In view of this multitude of food resources, possibilities for improving the existing small ruminants breeding system are proposed.