Socio-Economic Characteristics and Animal Feed Resources of Ruminant Farmers in Katsina State, Nigeria

I.R Muhammad,K.S Ahmed,A Aruwayo

doi:10.4314/jasem.v23i7.26

Abstract

: The survey was conducted to identify common ruminant feed resources in and around Dutsin-ma, Sheme, Faskari in Katsina state and investigate the socio-economic characteristics of ruminant farmers, farming system, feed types, sources, availability, price and major constraints in sourcing for non-conventional feed and feedstuff using a structured questionnaire system. The results of the survey showed that all respondents are male and married with crop farming as their primary occupation. 46.67% of the farmers had primary education with 6-10 years of livestock farming experience. The largest percentage (66.77%) of the farmers adopts intensive farming system. Feed resources were less expensive during harvest and expensive long after harvest i.e. during the dry season. High feed cost was the major constraints faced in sourcing feed. The feedstuffs were available from August to December and became relatively scarce in January. Respondents improve the nutritive value of the feedstuff by treating them with urea, sugarcane molasses and potassium. Farm residues, home remnants and agro allied waste were shown to have abetted the challenges of scarcity of ruminant feed especially during the dry season of the year. Some of the feedstuffs were not available at some periods of the month, a vivid picture of the time of their availability as shown in research could help the farmers to know when these feedstuffs are available and then buy at cheaper price and store for use at the time of scarcity. This will ultimately reduce cost of feeding and consequently, the cost of production.Keywords: resources, feed, ruminants, feedstuff

Highlights

Sheme, Faskari in Katsina state and investigate the socio-economic characteristics of ruminant farmers, farming system, feed types, sources, availability, price and major constraints in sourcing for non-conventional feed and feedstuff using a structured questionnaire system
This study was carried in Katsina state which is one of the highest ruminant producing states in Nigeria to describe the socio-economic characteristics of livestock ruminant farmers, identify major feed resources used, determine their availability over months of the year and identify the constraints of feeding ruminant animals in the state
Olujenyo (2008) stated that the involvement of aged farmers could lead to low production and poor marketing strategies due to outdated methods of farming, lack of awareness of modern feeds, use of traditional tools and species which do not encourage high output and failing to adopt modern farming system Nganga et al (2010) reported that the age of farmers is an important factor in livestock production because it may affect the level of rearing and awareness on modern system of rearing

Summary

Introduction

Faskari in Katsina state and investigate the socio-economic characteristics of ruminant farmers, farming system, feed types, sources, availability, price and major constraints in sourcing for non-conventional feed and feedstuff using a structured questionnaire system. 2011 National Agricultural Sample Survey indicated that Nigeria reported an estimated 19.5 million cattle, 72.5 million goats, 41.3 million sheep and 28,000 camels This indicates that ruminant constitute the major source of animal protein. The resultant low yield and availability of poor quality herbage gives rise to scarcity of energy and protein feedstuffs during the dry season which constitute a major setback to ruminant livestock production in the tropics (Aruwayo and Maigandi, 2013). This has further been worsened by the competition for conventional feed sources by humans. This study was carried in Katsina state which is one of the highest ruminant producing states in Nigeria to describe the socio-economic characteristics of livestock ruminant farmers, identify major feed resources used, determine their availability over months of the year and identify the constraints of feeding ruminant animals in the state

Methods

Results

Conclusion