Diversity of Dairy Farming Systems and Management Practices among Four Small-Scale Farms in Peri-Urban Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Abstract

Peri-urban dairy farming contributes to animal-source food supply and household livelihoods in Burkina Faso, but farms differ in herd composition, management, and access to technical resources. This study comparatively characterised dairy farming systems and management practices in four purposively selected small-scale farms in peri-urban Ouagadougou. Farms were assessed according to organisation, herd management, reproduction, feeding, animal health, housing, and equipment. Data were obtained through structured farm-level interviews, direct observation, and available records and were analysed descriptively across four management domains. Three farms were classified as semi-intensive and one as intensive. Herd size and breed composition varied substantially among farms. Artificial insemination was used in three farms, whereas natural mating remained part of reproductive management in three farms. Feeding strategies ranged from reliance on a limited number of ingredients to more diversified use of commercial feeds and agro-industrial or agricultural by-products. Mastitis and lameness were reported in all four farms, while abortion was reported in one farm. Preventive practices included vaccination, calf deworming, vitamin supplementation, and routine animal monitoring. Housing configuration and equipment also differed, and only one farm had a milking machine. Overall, the findings show substantial heterogeneity among the investigated farms and support farm-specific approaches to breeding, feeding, preventive health care, housing, and milk handling. Because only four purposively selected farms were studied, the results should be interpreted as an exploratory descriptive baseline rather than as representative estimates for peri-urban dairy farming in Ouagadougou.