Abstract

In Cameroon small ruminants, sheep and goats, are an important part of the farming systems in the Northwest Province. However, ruminant productivity remains low due to in-breeding and a scarcity of feed resources. The purpose of this project is to increase productivity through improved feeding systems, using by-products and roughages from local field crops. Researchers will identify the most important by-products, and estimate the quantities produced and their availability for livestock feeding. They will also develop appropriate feeding systems for goats and sheep, and determine the effects of improved feeding systems on small ruminant production systems in on-farm trials.

Post-Project Summary

This project surveyed farmers to characterize the sheep and goat production systems in six villages in the northwest province. Common crop residues and by-products, such as maize stover and rice straw, were accumulated in an inventory and evaluated for their ability to improve the nutrition of small ruminants. Rations were formulated to balance for deficiencies in energy, protein, and minerals in the by-products; these rations were fed to sheep and goats to eliminate dry season weight losses. Researchers found that in on-station trials, diets of rice straw and cottonseed cake; and rice straw, poultry waste, and cottonseed cake helped the animals maintain their weight in the dry season. Diets were then developed and used in on-farm trials. Researchers identified a conflict over the use of crop residues: women wanted to use them as fertilizers while the men preferred to use them as feed. A housing and confinement system for small ruminants was designed and tested on-station. Project studies were presented at international meetings; and a publication on by-products and crop residues in Cameroon was distributed to the scientific community within and outside the country.

Recipient Institution(s)