Abstract
The present survey was conducted to characterize herding practices and overall production performances of pastoral systems in the Kanem region, Chad. Overall, 69 livestock keepers were interviewed, among which 12 sedentary agro-breeders, 35 mobile agro-herders, and 22 nomadic herders. Species association is a main feature of the herd structure. Agro-herders make most often an association between cattle and small ruminants (47%). Among mobile agro-herders, the association between cattle and small ruminants is frequent (47%) whereas nomadic herders tend to show more diverse modalities of herd composition. Feed is mainly based on natural pastures. However, complementary feeding is provided, targeting the producing females and weaker stock during the maximal risk period. During the rainy and post-harvest season, milk yields are significantly higher among agro-herders than in other groups (p<0.05). In camels, the season of the year and the herding system have no effect on milk production. Regarding reproduction parameters, the mean age at first calving is 4.7±0.7 years in cows and 5.8±0.6 years in she-camels. The calving interval is 1.9±0.4 years in cows and 2.7±0.4 years in she-camels. The fecundity rate is around 63% in cows and 44% in she-camels. Simple husbandry techniques might help increasing production levels to the benefit of the households, as complementary feeding, which is already provided in a targeted way. The systematic implementation of this complementation faces constraints of availability of these agricultural by-products on the local markets. As far as research is concerned, the study recommends the implementation of herds monitoring of the area in order to precise the livestock breeding practice as well as zootechnical parameters. Key words: Agro-pastoral, cattle, camel, Chad, herding, Kanem, production performances.
Highlights
In Sahelian countries, livestock plays an important economic, social and cultural role
This study highlights the strategies in different breeding systems in the Kanem Region, Chad
There is a strong influence of the environment in particular food resources, including forage on livestock productivity and on reproductive parameters Systems strongly rely on highly variable environmental resources, impacting their production level
Summary
In Sahelian countries, livestock plays an important economic, social and cultural role. The share of the livestock sector in the gross domestic product varies from 5 to 10% according to the country and at local levels; it contributes to food security in rural and urban households (Wane et al, 2009). In Chad, the Kanem region is a typical Sahelian agroecological context, of which pastoral herding is the main economic activity. Pastoral systems should hold in this context a key-role in the socio-economic development of the region, being the basis of the livelihoods of households and providing the meat needed on the national and sub-regional markets
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
