Farmers’ Selection Criteria for Dairy Cattle in and around Niamey in Niger

Abstract

A total of 164 dairy cattle farmers were surveyed in Niamey (sub)urban community (Niger) to identify criteria taken into consideration at the local level for cattle husbandry selection. The farmers interviewed were mainly male (57,0%), illiterate (81.1%) and mostly belonged to Fulani (56.1%) and Zarma (34.8%) ethnic groups. The study also concerned 1635 zebu cattle, including 26.5% milking cows and 28.8% calves. When purchasing cattle, farmers preferred milking cows (41,0%), heifers (33.5%), and males (23.9%). The breed was the main selection criterion: Djelli (66.4%), Azawak (12.2%) and Bororo (5.3%). In addition, farmers identified secondary selection criteria: coat (50.6%), udder shape (34.8%), animal health status (8.5%), testes (2.4%) and horns (2.4%).