Participatory evaluation of livestock impediments in some pastoral settings in Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

Formal system of investigating livestock impediments seems to be of limited value in rural communities in developing countries. Participatory epidemiological (PE) tools were used on 4 focus groups in Katsina State, Nigeria to investigate pastoralists’ perspectives of their livestock. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics, Friedman’s test and Kendal’s coefficient of concordance. Cattle constituted the largest proportion of livestock kept, followed by goats, sheep, and poultry among others. Benefits derived from such animals included manure, means of livelihood, draft, and farm traction. Cattle rustling, lack of watering points and diseases were identified as factors militating against livestock production. Most prevalent livestock diseases identified included PPR, anaplasmosis, fasciolosis, round worms, CCPP, brucellosis, tick infestation, foot rot and arthritis. Signs of small ruminant diseases identified were consistent with the modern veterinary knowledge of such diseases. Traditional management of brucellosis included, firing of the knee in case of hygroma, then application of ‘Rai dore’ (Senna occedentalis) and drenching of affected animals with its solution. Some believed in chanting some verses from the Holy Qur’an on afflicted animals. Pastoralists were knowledgeable about their livestock and should be given a voice to enhance understanding and solving of animal health problems in their localities using PE.

Key wards: Participatory, epidemiology, Livestock, impediments, Katsina, Nigeria.