Abstract
This study analysed the determinants of small ruminant farmers’ participation in veterinary services in Northern Ghana. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to collect data on 249 farm households in different locations in Northern Ghana. Analytical tools including frequencies, means and logistic regression model were used to analyse the data. The regression analysis indicates a positive relationship between participation in veterinary services and sex of household head (p<0.05), education (p<0.05), household income level (P<0.05), herd size (p<0.05), and affordability of veterinary service (P<0.01). In addition, the study shows that diseases and pests menace, insufficient veterinary offices and animal health professionals were the major three constraints affecting animal health management in northern Ghana. In order to improve quality delivery of veterinary service in the area, the result of the logistic model provides a guideline to select farm households for implementation of veterinary extension programs in the region. Such guideline should be based on the important socio-economic and farm-related variables identified from the regression analysis. Furthermore, sustainable livestock production can be enhanced when animal health centers and professionals are made visible at local farming communities. Therefore, policies that provide an enabling environment for more private veterinary practice is relevant. More so, more qualified animal health professionals need to be trained to commensurate with the increasing number of livestock smallholders in the country. Key words: Small ruminant, farm households, veterinary services, logistic regression, Northern Ghana.
Highlights
Small ruminant livestock are widely distributed across Ghana (Mahama et al, 2003; Ockling, 1987)
The sex distribution of farm household heads suggests that majority were males representing 81.7% in Guinea savannah and 83.7% in Sudan savannah regions
This result implies that male household heads were dominant among small ruminant farm families and such statistics are consistent with the 80% male family-heads reported in a national survey by FAO (2012) in Ghana
Summary
Small ruminant livestock (that is, sheep and goat) are widely distributed across Ghana (Mahama et al, 2003; Ockling, 1987). The West African Dwarf (WAD) or djallonké breeds are the most common nationwide, and often used in breed improvement schemes by individual farmers, or parastatal farms and breeding stations in. Ghana (Karbo et al, 1997b; Oppong-Anane, 2006). The WAD breeds do not exhibit dwarfism traits (especially sheep), the animals are biologically adaptable to various vegetations, and demonstrates high typanotolerance, high prolificacy and ability to breed all year round (Oppong-Anane, 2006; Terril, 1985). Health climatic conditions may have little or no effect on the animals’ productive capacity, except changes in feed supply that can alter physical and physiological maturity of the animals (Addah and Yakubu, 2008)
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