Promotion of Total Castration in the Ram of the Far North Cameroon: an Example of a not Justified Promotion of a Technology

Abstract

The problem of a not justified promotion of a technique is explained through the example of the total castration in sheep in a sahelo-soudanian area of Africa. The actual situation of the total castration in sheep and the influence on some zootechnical parameters are studied in the far north of Cameroon. No benefit of this promotion has been observed in the local socio-economical environment. More emphasis has to be laid on the improvement of feeding and on a better flock management. In regard to the better understanding of problems in livestock extension, a multidisciplinary approach is recommended. KEY WORDS: castration, meat production, multidisciplinarity, sahelo-soudanian Africa, sheep, transfer of technology, zootechny