Utilization of indigenous practices among small ruminant farmers in controling ecto parasite in Ido local government area, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

High prevalence of ectoparasites in the tropics and lack of access to veterinary services necessitated the use of indigenous practices in controlling ectoparasites among small ruminant farmers. This study was carried out to assess the utilization of indigenous practices in controlling ectoparasites among small ruminant farmers in Ido Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State. A multi stage sampling technique was used in selecting respondents for the study. One hundred and fifteen well- questionnaires administered to the farmers and 112 were recovered from the field. Descriptive statistics such as percentage, frequency distribution and charts were used to analyse the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents. The results showed that the age 49-60 had the highest respondents (42.2%) followed by the age group of 36-48 years (28.4%). It also showed that majority of the respondents were female (66.7%). Some indigenous practices highly utilized in the study area included; the application of wild lettuce (ewe yanrin) on the affected parts of the animal (97%), Nuclea latifolin (ewe egbesi) 97% rubbing of liquid lime (osanwewe) on the affected part (93%). Chi Square was used to measure the relationship between respondents' selected socio-economic characteristics and their utilization. The Pearson product moment correlation (PPMC) was used to measure the relationship between respondents, constraints (r=0.194, p=0.050), benefit (r=0.201, p0.043). Some of the constraints identified in the study area included inadequate useful information from extension agents, extinction of materials used and non-documentation of the leaves used while some of the benefits of the leaves includes ease of administration of the leaves, low cost of the leave, and accessibility were some of the benefit derive.