Traditional small ruminant rearing system in Senegal. II. Animal management and husbandry pratices by livestock owners in the Louga area

Abstract

The authors present some results of the programme on « small ruminant pathology and productivity raised in their traditional environment » (ISRA, IEMVT-CIRAD). On the basis of these results, an analysis of small ruminant rearing practices and strategies in the Louga area was made. The methodology is based upon field surveys and statistical analyses of microeconomical data gathered in a course of a weekly follow-up of 194 compound or concession herds over a 3-year period. The survey has oriented the data processing method which, in turn, has raised new questions and created new inquires among participants. The authors then describe small ruminant rearing conditions in their natural environment: Sahalian zone, human background (the region is shared between two different ethnic groups, the Fulani and the Djolofes), and the production systems. The management and husbandry practices are presented, which differ between Fulani and Djolofes. Two types of rearing systems are associated. The compound or « concession » rearing (mainly run by the Djolofes) concerns rams with the best body conformation. Such animals are kept tied and fed at the trough up to 6 or even 18 months of age until they are sold at their top price. The pastoral rearing concerns the other sheep and goats. They are given a day time grazing with an evening return with the shepherds back to the concession, where they receive a feed supplement. The role of small ruminant rearing (milk production, feast slaughtering, summonable saving in case of need) are illustrated by the results of this survey. The follow-up also demonstrates that the commercial strategies of these two ethnic groups as well as their major aims are completely different, i.e. milk production for the Fulani, animal selling for the Djolofes.