3.1 Planning and coordination of development activities
3.2 Multiplication units
3.3 Development projects
While research on the productivity of trypanotolerant livestock and trypanotolerance were being conducted during the past 10 years, major changes also occurred in multiplication units and livestock development projects. Although some activities have been discontinued, most are being continued and developed and several new projects are being implemented.
The most important and recent developments of the period, however, were the efforts made by governments of countries involved and donor agencies to plan and coordinate their activities in this field. That is why we have chosen to devote a paragraph to planning and coordination activities before tackling the output of development projects and multiplication units.
During the past few years, considerable effort has been made to plan and coordinate development activities on trypanotolerant livestock production. Almost all the countries studied have developed a national trypanotolerant livestock development strategy or have at least identified some priority activities in this field, on their own or with the assistance of external missions. Consultation and coordination structures have also been set up and/or became operational during the past 10 years.
The most recent project study or studies carried out by each country to plan or promote national livestock production are presented in Table 3.1. Most of these documents were produced within the past five years and are therefore still relevant. In spite of their diverse origins, they all submitted a number of clearly identified project documents considered as priorities by the governments concerned. Consequently, there are a number of documents available which will assist in determining the context in which development activities are or will be carried out. It should be noted that this is a relatively new phenomenon. Furthermore, as is evident in Table 3.1, most prospective donors and executing agencies were involved in planning these development policies and in identifying or formulating new projects. This should facilitate funding and promote regional cooperation.
FAO, on its part, has made considerable efforts in this field. Out of the 19 countries studied, 15 were visited by support missions either as part of the International Programme for the Coordination of Dairy Development and the International Programme for the Development of the Meat Sector, or the Programme for the Control of African Animal Trypanosomiasis and Development of Relevant Areas.
Table 3.1. Recent studies conducted on the development of trypanotolerant livestock.
|
Country |
Title of study |
Body responsible |
Bibliographic reference |
|
Senegal |
Sectorial study of animal husbandry in Senegal (location and scope) |
WB/FAO/ |
DSPA (1982) UNDP (1982) |
|
Gambia |
PICDL/PIDSV Mission (2) |
FAO |
FAO (1980) |
|
Guinea Bissau |
Mission PICDL/PIDSV (2) |
FAO |
FAO (1985) |
|
Guinea |
PAG Mission (3) to Mano River Union countries |
FAO |
FAO (1983) |
|
Sierra Leone |
Livestock development study |
EDF |
Hunting (1979) |
|
Liberia |
PICDL/PIDSV Mission (2) |
FAO |
FAO (1979) |
|
Mali |
PICDL/PIDSV (2) |
FAO |
FAO (1977) |
|
Burkina Faso |
Livestock production in Burkina Faso (4 volumes) |
FAO |
FAO (1985) |
|
Côte d'Ivoire |
Strategy and plan of action for the development |
FAO/ |
FAO (1986) |
|
Ghana |
PAG (3) Mission |
FAO |
FAO (1985) |
|
Togo |
PAG (3) Mission |
FAO |
FAO (1981) |
|
Benin |
PAG (3) Mission |
FAO |
FAO (1981) |
|
Nigeria |
A livestock production plan for Nigeria |
WB/government |
FMA (1981) |
|
Cameroon |
Food self-sufficiency. Gold book. Bamenda Agropastoral Association |
Government |
Cameroon (1984) |
|
Central African |
Feasibility study of trypanotolerant cattle |
BADEAC/gov't |
BDPA (1984) |
|
Gabon |
Identification of the needs of the Livestock Services |
FAO |
FAO (1984) |
|
Congo |
PAG Mission (3) |
FAO |
FAO (1982) |
|
Zaïre | |||
|
Equatorial Guinea |
PICDL/PIDSV Mission (2) |
FAO |
FAO (1983) |
Note: (1) Refer to selected bibliography for each country.(2) PICDL/PIDSV International Programme for the Coordination of Dairy Development/International Programme for the Development of the Meat Sector.
(3) PAG Mission is preparatory assistance mission to countries within the framework of the FAO Programme for the Control of African Animal Trypanosomiasis and Development of Relevant Areas.
Source: Country studies.
In 1974, the World Food Conference requested FAO to undertake a long-term programme for the control of African trypanosomiasis (AAT). A preparatory five-year phase was initiated in 1975, during which FAO and the various funding bodies involved focused their efforts on training senior and intermediate-level national staff, strengthening research on the disease and its vector and treatment of trypanotolerant livestock. Several meetings of expert groups and consultative missions discussed various aspects of the AAT including the socio-economic problems of integrated rural development and environmental conservation.
The Programme for the Control of African Animal Trypanosomiasis was launched in 1979 and a steering body, the AAT Commission, was created. Most tsetse-affected countries and major agencies are members of the Commission which meets every two years. The fourth meeting of the Commission, which coordinates all activities on the various aspects of the programs, was held in Ouagadougou in November 1986.
At its last two sessions, the Commission emphasised the need for five subregional support units to be established for the development of tsetse-infested areas or areas in which tsetse had recently been eradicated. Following these recommendations, the Government of Italy, in collaboration with FAO, established the first sub-regional unit in West Africa in Ouagadougou in 1983. Seven countries of the subregion - Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Congo - are directly involved. The other units have not yet been established. FAO also launched a more specific programme for the upgrading, multiplication, and conservation of trypanotolerant livestock in West Africa with the assistance of the Italian Government. The programme directly involves Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, Nigeria and Zaire (which have a relatively large trypanotolerant livestock) and other interested countries, collaborate closely in this programme.
The objectives of this trypanotolerant livestock programme are:
· to provide governments of countries concerned with data on the characteristics, availability, cost and health status of trypanotolerant livestock· to assist governments in the formulation of development projects on the use of trypanotolerant livestock and in obtaining funding for such projects
· to provide technical assistance to ongoing projects
· to encourage transfers of breeding stock, genetic material (semen and embryos) and biological specimens between countries
· to evaluate training requirements of individual countries and provide the necessary training
· to study, recommend and encourage measures for the conservation of trypanotolerant breeds in danger of extinction and/or absorption.
To this end, the project cooperates closely with:
· national and international centres conducting research on trypanotolerance· national projects for selection and multiplication of trypanotolerant livestock
· development projects utilising trypanotolerant livestock, including draught animals.
As part of this FAO regional project, a detailed survey was conducted in 19 West and central African countries covered by the project, to investigate the trade in trypanotolerant cattle breeding stock and supply and demand in each country. This study was the subject of an FAO publication (Straw and Hoste, 1987). The information collected during these missions and from other sources was also used by FAO and ILCA in the preparation of this present Volume 3 of Trypanotolerant livestock in West and Central Africa. Finally, FAO in collaboration with ILCA, ILRAD and the Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation is preparing a documentary film on trypanotolerant livestock and trypanotolerance.
In order to facilitate the coordination of activities in these areas and the operations of the two regional projects, the latter requested each participating country, through the Commission, to set up a national interministerial and multidisciplinary committee for the control of AAT and development of tsetse-infested areas or areas recently freed from tsetse and appoint a liaison officer with the programme. The officer will collect information on all national activities on AAT control and will, therefore, be the main contact for all external bodies wishing to operate in that field. A remarkable tool has thus been developed in each country and should be fully utilised.
Apart from efforts at the national level to chart a strategy for the identification and coordination of projects, donor agencies, which are often involved in these projects, hold consultations, and the frequent round-table discussions between governments and donor agencies are an indication of the concern for efficiency which is currently the main preoccupation of all parties concerned.
Planning and coordination activities undertaken during the past few years reflect the importance attached to livestock production in tsetse-infested areas. There is good reason to be optimistic as these activities, which are discussed in the next two paragraphs, were undertaken recently or are yet to be undertaken.
3.2.1 Cattle programs
3.2.2 Small ruminant programs
3.2.3 Performance evaluation programmes
This section discusses only those structures concerned primarily with the multiplication of trypanotolerant livestock for use in the production of improved breeding stock, draught animals (in the case of cattle) or meat, and with relatively large herds (generally 500 head or more). Furthermore, only new structures or those with a substantial change in the number of livestock are mentioned. Consequently, herds considered as static during the study period are not included and to obtain an overall view of the situation of multiplication units the data contained in this document should be studied in conjunction with those presented in Volumes 1 and 2.
This section is divided into three parts: the first deals with cattle programs; the second deals with small ruminants; and the third discusses performance evaluation programs necessary to ensure the success of both cattle and sheep-goat upgrading and multiplication activities.
Table 3.2 lists trypanotolerant cattle multiplication herds which have either expanded or are newly constituted. Twelve countries have reactivated, improved or established trypanotolerant cattle multiplication units during the past 10 years.
Table 3.2. Expanding or recently established trypanotolerant cattle multiplication herds.
|
Country |
Name of structure |
Establishment date |
Breed and numbers |
Objectives/ Remarks |
External aid |
|
Guinea |
N'Dama selection and mutiplication centre |
1979 |
N'Dama: 300 head in 1985 |
Selection and multiplication centre Difficulty in constituting Centre herds Phase II, envisaged for 1986, will focus on the rural area |
UNDP/ FAO |
|
Mali |
Yanfolila N'Dama (ONDY) Ranch, Madina Diassa |
1974 |
N'Dama: 984 head in 1977 and 1800 in 1985 |
EDF funding will end in 1987 |
EDF |
|
Côte d'Ivoire |
Marahoue Ranch |
1975 |
N'Dama: 3 000 head in 1977 and 12 000 head in 1985 |
N'Dama selection and multiplication |
EDF |
|
Commercial cattle breeding projects |
|
|
|
|
|
|
+ Noroningue |
1979 |
330 N'Dama + 394 N'damance in 1984 |
|
|
|
|
+ Panya |
1977 |
282 N'Dama, 394 zebu 1554 crossbreeds in 1984 |
Zebu x N'Dama crossbreed |
|
|
|
+ Badikaha (herd) |
1980 |
1300 Shorthorn in 1985 |
Beef production |
|
|
|
Ghana |
Wulugu Livestock Company |
1980 |
700 WAS in 1985 |
Multiplication and production of draught oxen |
Bank of Ghana |
|
Togo |
Adele Ranch |
1979 |
Somba and N'Dama 2740 head in 1984 |
Absorption of Somba by N'Dama for production of draught oxen, area 60 000 ha, 15 600 TLU |
EDF |
|
Benin |
M'betecoucou Station |
1972 |
Borgou: 110 head in 1977, 1660 head in 1986 |
Borgou selection and multiplication |
UNDP/ FAO 1975 |
|
Samiondji Station |
1975 |
100 head of Lagune in 1977, 500 head in 1986 |
Lagune selection and multiplication |
ADB, since 1978 |
|
|
Nigeria |
State ranches (n=25) Private ranches (n=625) |
|
11300 N'Dama in 1985 106 000 WAS + N'Dama in 1985 |
Importation of 5000 N'Dama from the Gambia in the 1980's |
|
|
Cameroon |
SOCAPALM (Cameroon Oilpalm Company) |
1979 |
350 N'Dama in 1979,950 head in 1985 |
Importation of 350 head from Zaire |
|
|
Central African Republic |
Bambari Station |
|
63 Baoule in 1977 |
Regrouping of Baoule in one station |
WB |
|
Gabon |
Okouma Ranch |
|
N'Dama |
110 N'Dama imported in the 1980s |
|
|
Nyanga Ranch |
|
35 (1978), 8300 (1985) |
Projected herd size of 30 000 head in 1992 |
|
|
|
Lekabi Ranch |
1980 |
3370 head in 1985 |
Projected herd size of 12 000 head in 1992 |
|
|
|
Ngounie Ranch |
1980 |
1080 head in 1985 |
Projected herd size of 5000 head in 1992 plus 3500 in village nucleus herds |
|
|
|
Congo |
|
|
N'Dama |
Importation of 3000 head from Zaire between 1975 and 1982 |
|
|
Louila Ranch |
|
2700 (1977), 5700 (1985) |
Projected herd size of 5000 head |
|
|
|
Louboulou Ranch |
|
2750 (1977), 3540 (1985) |
Projected herd size of 5000 head |
EDF 1978 to 1982 |
|
|
Dihesse Ranch |
|
3500 (1977), 13 000 (1985) |
Projected herd size of 15 000 head |
WB/France till 1978 |
|
|
Zaire |
Mushie Ranch |
1977 |
177 000 head in 1984 |
Projected herd size of 23 500 head; private ranches |
|
|
Kalombi Ranch |
|
1400 (1977), 4000 (1984) |
Projected herd size of 4000 head; private ranches |
|
|
|
Lombo Ranch |
|
9000 (1977), 15 000 (1984) |
Projected herd size of 15 000 head; private ranches |
|
An estimated 120 000 head were born or introduced into this livestock production system during the study period.Source: Volume II. Country studies.
Just like with the cattle programs small experimental herds maintained by universities and research centres and herds which have remained relatively static during the study period are not taken into account. These restrictions indicate that little importance was given to small ruminants during the study period. In fact, only four countries could be considered as having made any significant progress in this field: Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and Togo. The activities undertaken in these countries are presented below.
Côte d'Ivoire: This country exerted the most effort in sheep production during the past 10 years and has obtained spectacular results. Of particular interest is the establishment in 1976, with EDF and FAC¹ assistance of the National Sheep Centre (CNO) in Boumi which maintained a flock of 3400 sheep including 1600 dams in 1986 and the "Elevage SODEPALM of Toumoudi", which has a flock of 5300 sheep. These activities are part of a National Sheep Selection Programme (PNSO) presented in Table 4.
1 FAC = Fonds d'aide et de coopération (France).
Ghana: Two multiplication units have been established in this country. Ejura farm was established in 1983 with a herd of 880 sheep and 140 goats as part of a development programme aimed at improving sheep and goat production. The Juaso Oil Palm Plantation maintained a herd of about 320 sheep in 1983.
Togo: Togo, with FAC assistance, established a multiplication, selection and distribution centre under traditional management system for Djallonke sheep. In 1986, the station at Kolokopé had a flock of 2000 sheep.
Congo: The Peoples' Republic of the Congo decided recently to develop small ruminant production. With the assistance of FAO, the Government has established a technical support centre for small ruminant production. Phases 1 and 2 were implemented between 1982 and 1987. Technical assistance for a livestock centre recently established at Inoni-Falaise was also provided by FAO.
It should be emphasised once again that few resources are allocated to small ruminant upgrading and multiplication and that the term "small ruminants" generally refers only to sheep. The goat production sector, although a major source of animal protein, is still neglected.
A discussion of performance evaluation programs and cattle and small ruminant programs in the same chapter may, a peon, seem out of place. However, the development of performance evaluation systems directly influences results obtained in multiplication units. Furthermore, it must be acknowledged that this topic has hitherto been often neglected and that is why a detailed discussion has been devoted to it in this chapter.
The objectives of multiplication centres or units are, or should be, to produce upgraded breeding stock or at least to increase the productivity of their animals. To this end, a simple but adequate performance evaluation system, adapted to particular situations, which enables the official to make the necessary management decisions, should be developed. Unfortunately, such systems do not exist or are not considered a priority in most existing units and even in newly established units.
It may be said with confidence that in most cases, when livestock production results are not as good as expected, this is because production is not stringently and accurately monitored. However, the task of the breeder and in particular the processing and interpretation of data collected in the field have been greatly facilitated with the development of the computer.
The initial programme was planned and developed on a large scale in the early 1970s and implemented in Botswana (McNamara et al, 1974) where it was used as part of a beef cattle selection programme to monitor 5000 cattle on 16 farms and stations participating in the programme. The system was subsequently used in Swaziland, and in Kenya under the title "Kenya Beef Recording System" (KBRS) by ILCA (ILCA, 1977).
During the same period in Côte d'Ivoire, a computerized individual monitoring system for use in traditional livestock production systems was developed by IEMVT researchers (Poivey et al, 1978 and 1981). Using such a system, which operates on the principle of exchange lists and thus permanent dialogue between producers (through extension staff) and the biometrics unit, 8000 head of livestock in 64 village herds were monitored in 1980. A second programme for the evaluation of weight performances in cattle-rearing and fattening units was developed simultaneously and used to monitor and evaluate over 1000 young bulls in 1980 in village trial and selection stations established. A computerised monitoring programme for use in a ranching system has been developed by another IEMVT team and is currently being tested in Mali (Planchenault, 1985).
The main disadvantage of these monitoring and evaluation performance systems is the distance between recording sites (village, ranch etc) and processing centres and the constraint imposed by "heavy" data-processing equipment (air conditioning, size and cost of hardware, programs requiring a large memory etc). In all instances, this causes delays, sometimes inordinate, between the time the data were collected and the time they were sent to the producer for decision-making. This major constraint has now been overcome with the development of the microcomputer which is relatively low-cost and has a large memory.
With the development of the microcomputer, ILCA developed "IDEAS" (ILCA Data Entry and Analysis Systems/Système CIPEA d'enregistrement et d'analyse de données) (Wissocq et al, 1988). This system:
· processes all the major parameters: reproduction, viability, growth, milk, wool, traction and amalgamates them into suitable indices of productivity for all animal species: cattle, sheep, goats, camels, horses and donkeys· provides standardised data base files for regional comparisons and national decision-making
· records climatic, nutritional and management data for use in the biological interpretation of statistical results
· allows all information on an individual animal to be immediately accessible
· allows the analyses on an individual farm to run to the point where all logical herd-level decisions can be made without having access to large computer facilities.
Such a tool, when widely disseminated, should considerably improve day-to-day management and animal and economic performances of multiplication units. The immediate consequence would be renewed interest on the part of donors in such projects and a revitalisation of the sector.
Consequently, since 1985, ILCA and FAO have jointly organised a training course on the standardisation of data on animal production in Africa and the utilisation of IDEAS software package.
3.3.1 Livestock development projects
3.3.2 Integrated rural development project with a "livestock production" component
In an effort to simplify presentation, an initial distinction will be made between "livestock" projects and integrated rural development projects with a livestock component. A further distinction is made within "livestock" projects, between general projects (national or regional) and specific projects: animal health, animal traction and small ruminants.
Four types of livestock development projects are discussed under this heading:
1. "General" projects
2. Animal health projects
3. "Animal traction" projects and
4. Small ruminant projects.
3.3.1.1 GENERAL PROJECTS
Livestock development projects for each country are presented in Table 3.3. These involve several aspects such as strengthening of national services, training of producers, range management etc. at the provincial, national or regional level.
Some of these projects have been mentioned in Volumes 1 and 2 and are therefore relatively old. They are included in the Table either because they continue to receive external funding or they are still being implemented. Finally, new projects have been planned and included in this list.
3.3.1.2 ANIMAL HEALTH PROJECTS
During the past 10 years renewed outbreaks of rinderpest have been reported and a new Pan-African Rinderpest Vaccination Campaign was carried out by OAU/IBAR with the assistance of the EEC. Within the past few years, however, a series of emergency measures were introduced in some countries with the assistance of the FAO Technical Cooperation Programme. Although not specific to trypanotolerant livestock production, these projects are important to, and directly influence, its development. The following countries have benefited from such assistance: Senegal (1983 and 1985), the Gambia (1981 and 1983), Sierra Leone (1984), Liberia (1983/84), Mali (1983 and 1984), Burkina Faso (1984), Togo (1980), Nigeria (1986) and Zaire (1986).
A bovine pleuropneumonia vaccination programme was also funded by FAO in 1986 in the Central African Republic, primarily for the vaccination of livestock from neighbouring countries.
Table 3.3. General livestock development projects.
|
Country |
Name of structure |
Establishment date |
Breeds and number or implimentation area |
Objectives/Remarks |
External aid and duration |
|
Senegal |
Improvement of livestock production and pastures in Bakel Department |
1975 |
350 000 ha, 40 000 head of cattle |
Extension service in animal husbandry |
Phase II USAID 1985-1989 |
|
Senegal Oriental Livestock Development Project (PDESO) |
1976 |
1300 000 ha |
Improvement of health and extension services |
WB/BADEA/ Kuwait Phased II 85/89 |
|
|
Gambia |
Project on the establishment and development of the International Trypanotolerance Centre (ITC) |
1984 |
The entire country. Continued monitoring of 50 000 head of N'Dama |
Strengthening of veterinary services Reduction o f mortality rate by 50% Reduction of calving interval to less than 24 months Improve annual growth by 50 kg or more |
ADB loan repayable over a 50-year of 10-year grace period |
|
Guinea |
Project on the modernisation and development of the livestock sector |
1986 |
Entire country |
Strengthening of national services Increasing meat production by 75% Increasing milk production by 95% |
WB/FAC/ CCCE/ BADEA 4 years |
|
|
|
|
Establishment of a training centre and a vaccine production unit |
First phase |
|
|
Mali |
Livestock development in Southern |
1978 |
± 100 000 ha |
Improvement of animal health marketing and extension services etc (project discontinued) |
EDF till 1985 |
|
Mali Livestock Sector Project |
1982 |
Entire country |
Strengthening of the veterinary laboratory and National Directorate for Livestock |
USAID 5 years |
|
|
Burkina Faso |
Improvement of traditional animal husbandry in Comoé (Phase II) |
1982 |
Upper Basin region |
Pastoral development |
EDF till 1985 |
|
Development of East Sondré pastoral zone |
1981 |
Sondré region |
Range management |
The Netherlands till 1985 |
|
|
Feedlot centre and |
1980 |
Léo region |
Feedlot centre and range management |
The Netherlands |
|
|
Côte d'Ivoire |
SODEPRA North (livestock production extension in the North) + since 1984 extension on zebu production in the North |
1972 |
417 700 sedentary cattle |
Extension for producers |
CCCE/FAC/ GTZ/AGCD |
|
|
1984 |
315 100 head of transhumant cattle |
Range management |
Phase 3, 1986-1990 |
|
|
Sodepra Central |
1975/76 |
54 250 head of cattle |
Extension for producers |
UNDP/FAO till 1985 and ADB for 4 yrs |
|
|
National Artificial Insemination Centre |
1986 |
Entire country |
Development of AI for cattle and sheep |
Belgium for 3 yrs |
|
|
Benin |
Project to develop livestock production in |
1983 |
South Borgou province |
Improvement of traditional animal husbandry system |
EDF |
|
South Borgou Project to promote livestock production in Atacora |
1983 |
Atacora province |
Development of traditional animal husbandry |
GTZ from 1983-88 |
|
|
Cameroon |
Meat Plan I and II |
1975/86 |
Adamaoua and North West province |
Loan to producers, setting-up ranches, slaughter houses, strengthening veterinary services, tsetse eradication mission etc. |
WB end of Phase I in January 1986 |
|
Initial studies for a livestock production project |
1986/87 |
Entire country |
Defining a national livestock development strategy |
WB/UNDP for 10 months |
|
|
Central African Republic |
Second livestock production plan |
1986 |
Entire country |
Stengthening of national services Extension for Mbororo producers revitalisation of trypanotolerant cattle production |
WB/IFAD/ BAD/EDF for 5 years |
|
|
|
|
Setting-up of a veterinary laboratory |
FAC |
|
|
Gabon |
Agro-pastoral development of Lebamba zone |
1980 |
Lebamba zone |
Study of socio-economic aspects |
UNDP duration 2 years |
|
Development of nucleus herds |
1985 |
Vicinity of OGAPROV/ Agrogabon |
Nucleus herds provided by Agrogabon |
|
|
|
Congo |
Livestock development in Boundji District |
1986 |
Boundji District |
Supply of material, equipment and technical assistance |
FAO |
Apart from these purely health projects, the following projects have been funded during the past 10 years to strengthen or establish veterinary structures.
Guinea Bissau: In 1985, the country received assistance in the form of laboratory material, medicines and vaccines from UNDP.
Guinea: Between 1984 and 1986, FENU provided funds for the construction and equipping of five veterinary centres and a small laboratory in Upper Guinea.
Central African Republic: FAC plans to contribute towards the funding of veterinary laboratory to be established in Bangui as part of the second livestock development project.
Zaire: Since 1986, Belgium has funded a veterinary assistance project involving between 5000 and 10 000 head of cattle for producers in Mbanza Ngungu, gas-Zaire.
3.3.1.3 "ANIMAL TRACTION" PROJECTS
Only specific animal traction projects are discussed in this section. Most integrated rural development projects which include a livestock production component (see section 3.3.2) also include an animal traction component. Table 3.5 gives a more comprehensive view of current activities in animal traction.
Only three countries, Benin, Sierra Leone and Togo, have had or currently have specific development projects on animal traction. They are discussed briefly below:
Benin: The national animal traction and animal production project launched with UNDP assistance ended in 1977. A new animal traction project funded by The Netherlands was started in 1980, but ended in 1983. New funding sources are being sought.
Sierra Leone: The Work Oxen Project was started in 1978 with ODA assistance to promote training and distribution of work oxen. Plans are currently underway to set up work oxen project units in each province.
Togo: The "Projet sur la promotion de la traction animale" was launched in 1977 (PROPTA ex PRODEBO). It coordinates all national activities on animal traction. It aims to train 6000 pairs of oxen, as well as trainers and provide veterinary supplies for the projects. EDF is providing external support.
These examples do not reflect the renewed interest shown in animal traction in the various West and central African countries during the past few years. In this respect, meetings on animal traction organised in 1985 and 1986 by Togo and Sierra Leone with the assistance of USAID, and current efforts being deployed jointly by FAO and ILCA to set up an animal traction research network, are very eloquent. As a result of these efforts, new projects may be implemented in the near future.
3.3.1.4 "SMALL RUMINANT" PROJECTS
A special effort has been made by eight countries to develop livestock multiplication upgrading and training projects on small ruminant production. The projects and their main objectives are presented in Table 3.4.
The project implemented in Côte d'Ivoire is also supported by the two multiplication units, the National Sheep Centre (CNO) and the Toumodi SODEPALM animal production
scheme. Although the reproduction career of about 5000 ewes is currently being monitored under this programme, the aim is to rapidly constitute a selection herd of 10 000 ewes. The programme has already produced spectacular results and provides producers participating in the scheme with highly productive breeding rams. This demonstrates the importance of these selection schemes and indicates that some of them are quite suited to livestock production conditions in Africa.
Table 3.4. Projects on the development of small ruminants production.
|
Country |
Name of structure |
Established |
Breed and numbers or area of implementation |
Objective/remarks |
External aid duration |
|
Senegal |
Project to develop sheep production in Kaoloack and Fatick Regions (PWODELOV) |
|
3000 ha |
Training on sheep production |
FAC Phase II 1985-89 |
|
Côte d'Ivoire |
National sheep selection programme (PNSO) |
1983 |
Entire country 3600 ewes monitored in 1985 |
Improvement and multiplication of Djallonke sheep |
FAC Phase I 1983-87 |
|
Ghana |
Development of sheep and goat production |
|
Ejura Farm and producers in vicinity |
West African Dwarf x Sahel crossbreeding |
UNDP/FAO initially |
|
Togo |
Small ruminants project |
1980 |
Entire country |
Health aspect |
EDF 1980 |
|
Benin |
Development of small ruminant production project |
1978 |
Atacora, Borgou and Zou provinces |
Phase I: health |
USAID |
|
Cameroon |
Project to assist traditional sheep producers |
1981 |
Northwest province |
Bamenda-Mankon Station research on diseases and productivity |
Belgium |
|
Congo |
Sheep-goat Technical Centre (CAT) |
1982 |
Likouala, Basin, and Plateaux Region |
Animal health, improvement on pasture mass selection herding, night pens |
FAO(technical assistance) Phase I 1982-85 Phase II 1985-87 |
|
Equatorial Guinea |
Milk goat project |
1985 |
Bioko Island |
Survey under village conditions On-station production and technology |
GTZ |
Source: Volume 2. Country studies.
Each of the integrated rural development projects presented in Table 3.5 include a "livestock production" component. However, this is mainly geared towards the breeding, training and maintenance of work oxen for use in crop production as part of the project's global objectives. In certain cases the aim of the project is to integrate agricultural and livestock production. In most instances, however, the livestock "production" component is mentioned "pour mémoire" or to boast that the projects are integrated rural development schemes while actually they are often the "least important" component of these projects.
Table 3.5. Integrated rural development projects with a livestock component.
|
Country |
Name of structure |
Established |
Breed and numbers or implementation areas |
Objectives/remarks |
External aid duration |
|
Senegal |
Lower Casamance Integrated Agricultural Development Project (PIDAC) |
1979 |
Under the Casamance Development Company |
Tagging and monitoring of draught oxen; herd management; veterinary pharmacies |
|
|
Sedhiou Rice Project |
|
Casamance |
Training of farmers using draught animals |
|
|
|
Gambia |
Gambia Mixed Farming and Resources Management Project |
1980 |
Entire country |
Training of farmers in use of draught animals |
USAID 1980-85 |
|
Guinea Bissau |
Zone I Integrated Project |
|
Biombo, Cacheu, Oio |
Assistance to livestock service, development of animal traction |
Sweden |
|
Zone II Integrated Project |
|
Bafata, Gabu |
Distribution of 3000 teams of oxen |
EDF/ FAC |
|
|
Sierra Leone |
Koinadugu Integrated Development Project |
|
Koinadugu District |
Management of Musaia Station |
Funding till 1986 |
|
Northern Integrated Agricultural Development Project |
|
Northern province |
Management of Malal Mara ranch (00 ha and 200 head in 1985) |
|
|
|
Mali |
South Mali Project (CMDT) |
|
Cotton zone |
Training in animal traction by Malian Textiles Company |
WB |
|
Burkina Faso |
Integrated Development of the central-eastern ORD |
1983 |
Central-eastern ORD |
Strengthening regional livestock structures Nouhao valley range management |
Italy/FAO 5 years |
|
Côte d'Ivoire |
Development of livestock production in the southeastern region |
1981 |
South-east of the country |
Establishment of farms |
CCCE |
|
Development of livestock production in the forest region of the southwest |
1984 |
South-west of the country |
Intensive mixed farming and animal husbandry |
ADB |
|
|
Development of livestock production in the western forest region |
1983 |
West of the country |
Animal species with short breeding cycle |
Belgium |
|
|
Ghana |
Ghanaian/German Agricultural Development Project (GGADP) |
1974 |
Northern and Upper regions |
Training in animal traction |
GTZ |
|
Northern Region Integrated Project (NORRIP) |
1970 |
Upper Region |
Planning body for development of northern region |
CIDAWB/ ODA/GTZ till 1984 |
|
|
Upper Region Agricultural Development Project (URADEP) |
1977 |
Upper Region |
All activities of the Ministry of Agriculture in the region |
CIDAWB/ ODA/GTZ till 1984 |
|
|
Togo |
North Togo Integrated Development Programme |
1976 |
Kara Region |
Training in cattle and sheep breeding |
UNDP/FAC Phase III 1981-86 |
|
Benin |
Atacora Integrated Rural Development Project |
1983 |
Atacora province |
Rural development |
WB/FIDA/ OPEC 1983-88 |
|
Zou Integrated Rural Development Project |
1983 |
Zou province |
Rural development |
WB/FIDA/ OPE |
|
|
National Oilseeds Industries company (SONICOG) ex-(SOBEPALM) |
|
Ouémé province |
Livestock production on oilpalm plantations |
WB/FAC/ CCCE 1981-88 |
|
|
Central African Republic |
Ouham-Pende Integrated Rural Development Project |
|
Ouham-Pende |
Development of animal traction |
GTZ |
|
Project on the rural development of Bamangui-Bangoran-Vakaga Districts |
1985 |
Bamangui, Bangoran and Vakaga Districts |
Integrated rural development |
UNDP |
|
|
Zake |
Kwango-Kwilu Integrated Agricultural Development Project |
1986 |
Kwango-Kwilu |
Refresher course for field officials |
WB/GTZ/ FAO |
|
Equatorial Guinea |
Niefang Integrated Rural Development Project |
|
Niefang |
Small ruminants deworming |
FAC |
Source: Volume II. Country studies.
At the end of this chapter on development activities on trypanotolerant livestock production during the past 10 years one could say there is reason to be optimistic, if not complacent. Encouraging results have been achieved and, more importantly, the groundwork for the planning and coordination of development programs has been laid. These efforts should prove productive within the next few years and the next decade for the development of trypanotolerant livestock production can be approached with confidence.
