Rearing livestock on the edge of secondary cities: examining small ruminant production on the fringes of Wa, Ghana

Abstract

Rapid urbanization exerts pressure on urban fringe resources in most cities in the global south. The resultant effect of this pressure is the rapid conversion of natural reserves and farmlands into residential and non-residential developments that affects crucial rural livelihoods including the production of small ruminants. However, scientific studies on the production of small ruminants on the fringes of cities in Ghana are limited. This study draws evidence from seven communities in Wa, Ghana to examine how urban fringe development influences the production of small ruminants, the challenges the farmers encounter, and the coping strategies adopted. The study adopted a mixed-methods research design involving 329 respondents to compare small ruminant production in 2009 and 2019. Data were also elicited from community and institutional level participants. A questionnaire-based survey, in-depth interviews, focused group discussions and observation were used to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. The findings revealed that the effects of weedicide use, frequent theft and vehicular downing adversely affected production resulting in a decrease in the number of small ruminants over the study period. Those who adopted the semi-intensive system of rearing were confronted with feeding, housing and security challenges. The study concludes that urban fringe development is detrimental to the production of small ruminants. To sustain production, it is recommended that the city's Livestock Division of the Department of Agriculture support local farmers in constructing low-cost housing using local materials such as thatch, mud bricks and cow-dung and the preparation of low-cost feed using crop residues.