Livestock production pattern of agropastoralists in peri-urban centres of south-west Nigeria

Abstract

The remarkable reduction of tsetse fly and its vector disease trypanosomosis in the South West zone of Nigeria has led to the development of agropastoralism in the zone. This study was carried out by administration of structured questionnaires to farmers in three towns (Oyo, Ogbomosho and Saki) in order to highlight some of the factors influencing production in the area. It was found that in all the three towns animals were maintained on free range grazing, browsing and offer of crop residues. The most favoured breed kept is the Bunaji and Ogbomoso had the highest concentration (52.16%) of this breed. Labour allocation among agropastoralists was based on sex. Diarrhoea was the prevalent disease among the adult animals in wet and dry seasons while sand eating was common among the calves. In all the centres, cattle constituted the major ruminant in stock(77%) while sheep and goats accounted for 15% and 8% respectively. A preponderance of female cattle over the male for all the breeds was recorded in all the towns, But Saki had the highest number of cattle in stock and Ovo the lowest. Feed supplements offered all year round were salt lick and grains. Most of the agropaturalists depended on the use of local herbs and such other orthodox methods of combating diseases affecting the herd.