Major constraints to small ruminant
production
Low productivity and various diseases
were the major constraints that faced sheep and
goat production in the areas. Due to poor veterinary
services, the livestock in general, sheep and goat
in particular were highly affected by certain
diseases. Inadequate nutrient intake by the animals
aggravated the situation. Small ruminants in the
study areas survived entirely on natural grasses.
These unimproved grasses were low in nutritional
value, mineral content and their quality normally
deteriorated especially during dry seasons.
Shortage of grazing land, poor soil fertility,
deterioration of natural resource and unreliable
rainfall were the main factors contributing to the
deficiencies of feed supply in the areas. In all study
areas, utilization of agro-industrial by products and
cultivated forage was not common. Pastoralists
also identified shortage of drinking water as the
major problem for their animals. Livestock depend
on rain water during the wet season and seek a
permanent water source during the dry season.
Another constraint of small ruminant production
in the areas is the lack of consistent marketing of
the animal. Lack of adequate financial resources
and the absence of credit services were also
obstacles for improving the livestock production
in the survey area. As the financial resources and
credit services were not available in these areas,
pastoralists could not even replace their animals
when they died due to drought and predators