Challenges and Constraints of Urban and Suburban Small Ruminant Breeding in Maradi, Niger: What Kind of Future?

Abstract

A study was conducted in Maradi, Niger, to determine the socioeconomic characteristics and technical constraints of small ruminant breeding in urban and suburban areas. A total of 60.9% of the urban households and 81.1% of the suburban households kept small ruminants. The reasons for not keeping small ruminants mainly concerned food insecurity in the households, thefts, lack of interest, and constraining aspects of the activity. The majority of household heads were farmers who had had no schooling and were over 40 years old. The main draws for this type of breeding were security (45% of urban households and 61.7% of suburban households) and its use during socioreligious events (43.2 in urban households and 31.6% in suburban households). Three types of herds (sheep, goats or mixed sheep and goats) were present, with fewer sheep herds in the suburban area. The herd type was mainly determined by its social function within the household. The most common breeding system in urban areas was permanent stabling throughout the year (50.4%), whereas in suburban areas, stabling and herding could be combined. Free roaming was also common, particularly with goats. Fodder scarcity and high cost were feeding main constraints, notably in the period between harvests. Offtake was due chiefly to live animals’ sales (50 and 63.4% of the animals in urban and suburban areas, respectively) and self-consumption (24.1 and 15.5% of the animals in urban and suburban areas, respectively). This socially important animal breeding system could be preserved if further developments take into account urban constraints.

Keywords

• Ovin
• Caprin
• Elevage
• Environnement urbain
• Zone périurbaine
• Environnement socio-économique
• Maradi
• Niger