Characteristics of Farming of the Kirdi Goat (Capra hircus) in the Far North Region, Cameroon

Abstract

A study on the characterization of kirdi goat (Capra hircus) breeding was carried out in eight localities in the Far North region of Cameroon. The aim was to highlight the socio-economic and zootechnical components of kirdi goat breeding in the said region. The study was based on a survey of 986 households in eight localities in the region. The study revealed that the majority of breeders were men (80.03%), with the most common age group being between 45 and 60. Married people are the most numerous (85.25%), and 54.92% of breeders are Christians. However, the main activity of livestock farmers is farming (59%), and the objective of livestock farming is to increase the number of animals (75.78%). Livestock are purchased (89.35%) and labour is provided by the family (94.18%). Annual household income ranges from 100,000 to 150,000 FCFA. From a zootechnical point of view, the size of the herd varies from 1 to over 45 head, and is a mixed farm. The main livestock management method is divagation (54.08%), the most common housing is the hut (84.96%), and the animals are grouped by species (56.87%). Supplementation is based on harvest by-products. In terms of health, 77.54% of farmers vaccinate their animals, and the most frequent symptom is diarrhoea (22.31%). Mating is not controlled at all by breeders (88.06%), 95.52% of breeders declare that they have recorded multiple births and 75.93% have obtained double births. In view of the above, this study shows that kirdi goat breeders have considerable know-how in managing their operations.