Abstract
Sheep and goats are an important commodity for smallholder farmers across East Africa, but severe limitations remain in small ruminant production. This review aimed to identify specific constraints to small ruminant production and identify practical and sustainable solutions. From 54 eligible articles, most were focused in Ethiopia (n = 44) with only 6 studies performed in Tanzania and 4 in Uganda. The most frequently identified constraint in Ethiopia and Tanzania was disease (n = 28 and n = 3, respectively), and in Uganda, it was the lack of access to veterinary services (n = 4). Additionally, access to good breeding stock, lack of animal records, and an established marketing chain were also mentioned in all the three countries. Ectoparasites, gastrointestinal parasites, orf, and sheep/goat pox were the most frequently mentioned disease challenges causing productivity losses. Many articles provided potential solutions as suggested by farmers, including improved access to veterinary services and medicines, improved record keeping, and access to good breeding stock. Farmers highlighted the value of community-based participatory development plans to increase education on disease control, land management, and husbandry. This review also highlighted knowledge gaps, the need for further research, particularly in Tanzania and Uganda, and the importance of addressing multiple challenges holistically due to the links between constraints.
Highlights
Sustainable food production is an increasingly important challenge for the world’s expanding population
Articles were published between 1993 and 2019 (Figure 2), and most articles focused on research performed in Ethiopia (n = 44, 84.5%), with only 6 studies performed in Tanzania and 4 in Uganda
A total of 21/54 (38.9%) studies focused on goats only, 6/54 (11.1%)—on sheep only, and 27/54 (50%)—on small ruminants in general
Summary
Sustainable food production is an increasingly important challenge for the world’s expanding population. Population growth and increased consumer demand in developing countries, including East Africa, has resulted in an increase in the consumption of animal products such as meat and dairy [1,2]. Sustainable livestock production has an important role in food and environmental security [3,4,5,6,7]. Sheep and goats are an important commodity for smallholder farmers across East. Africa and play an important role for home consumption, are a source of cash income for products such as meat, milk, wool, hides, and manure, and have a significance in their social value [8,9]. In 2017, in Ethiopia, there were estimated to be approximately
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