AN ASSESSMENT OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION PRACTICES IN CAMEROON: THE CASE OF BROILERS AND PIG PRODUCTION IN BUEA SUB DIVISION
By: Alemnji Mary Alemawung | Department of Development Studies | Agriculture and Development
ABSTRACT
The livestock sector is one of the fastest-growing agricultural subsectors in developing countries with its share of agricultural GDP already 40%. Despite this significant contribution to GDP, this sector is perceived to be disrupted by a plethora of challenges including production practices. In this light, this study sought to assess livestock production practices in Cameroon using the case of broilers and pig production in Buea Subdivision. To achieve this, the study specifically looked at the level of awareness of good practices in broilers and pig production, the level of implementation of good practices and challenges faced in the implementation of these good practices. Data collection was by field observation and face to face questionnaires administration to broilers and pig farmers in Buea Subdivision with a response rate of 100%. Data collected was entered into SPSS version 20 and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results of 34 farmers sampled showed that, 90% of framers are aware and used good breed of broilers and pig for production. A good proportion (70%) of them claimed to have knowledge on biosecurity measures of broilers and pig farms. Despite this, 70% of these farmers are not aware of stocking density and farm orientation for proper ventilation, and more than 40% not aware of complete feed formulation for broilers and pigs. Also, the findings showed a mismatched of awareness and implementation as more than 60% of broilers and pig farmers said, they were aware of complete feed formulation for their animals. At the level of application, only 34% of broiler farmers use self-compounded complete feed and a majority of pig farmers used incomplete feed for feeding of animals. The results as well indicated that, 70% of broiler farmers and pig farmers were aware of biosecurity and disease management measures. At the level of implementation, less than 40% of broilers and pig farmers have a foot disinfection bath and 10% of broiler farmers do daily cleaning of farm equipment. The use of antibiotics was as well very high (100%), as all farmers used antibiotics for disease prevention and treatment at all levels of the animals’ life up to point of sales. Delay in the supply of DOC, disease outbreak, lack of finance and scarcity of good pig breed were raised by farmers as some challenges impeding their application of good practices. A close follow up of broilers and pig farmers need to be done by well train technicians and a DOC and pig production center created for continues supply of good breeds to the farmers.
Key words: Good practice, broilers, pigs, housing, breed, feeding, biosecurity