2.1 Background
2.2 Livestock numbers and distribution
2.3 Cattle
2.4 Sheep and goats
2.5 Research and development activities
2.6 Selected bibliography
2.7 Major changes since 1977
The Animal Health and Production Department (AHPD), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources is responsible for all livestock production activities. It currently comprises seven divisions, four of which are concerned with livestock production: the Directorate, the Animal Health Division, the Animal Husbandry and Production Division and the Animal Industries Division.
Background data for the country are given in Table 1.
Table 1. Human and animal populations of the Gambia, 1983.
|
Human population (1983) |
||
|
|
- number |
695 886 |
|
|
- density |
61.6/km² |
|
Animal population (1983) |
||
|
|
- cattle |
305 000 |
|
|
- sheep |
162 000 |
|
|
- goats |
175 000 |
Sources: For human population: 1983 census figures.For animal population: projections based on 1978-79 census carried out by the Animal Health and Production Department (AHPD) (0% for cattle, 2.5% for sheep and goats).
According to FAO (1986) report, G. morsitans submorsitans is found throughout the country in the dry savannah woodlands, except in the west of the Western Division. G. palpalis gambiensis is found on either side of the river in natural areas of oil palm groves, mangrove swamps, the intermediate forested swamps and the steep riverbanks of Upper River Division. The presence of G. longipalpis has not been reported recently.
The International Trypanotolerance Centre (ITC) is currently conducting a detailed study on tsetse distribution as part of its research programme. During the initial year of their study, Snow and Railings (1986) confirmed the presence of G. palpalis in the areas around Gunjur (low density) and Pirang (high density). G. morsitans was found in the Keneba area (high density) and the Nioo and Sare Ngai areas (low density).
The final results of the national livestock census carried out in 1978-79 were still being compiled when the last study was published. These data have been used in Table 2 which shows the livestock population and density by administrative division.
Table 2. Cattle numbers and density by administrative division, 1979.
|
Administrative division |
Population |
Densities per km² |
||||
|
Cattle |
Sheep |
Goats |
Cattle |
Sheep |
Goats |
|
|
Western |
39 700 |
23 484 |
32 429 |
21.5 |
12.7 |
17.6 |
|
Lower River |
30 800 |
14 307 |
13 451 |
20.1 |
9.4 |
8.8 |
|
McCarthy |
96 700 |
48 185 |
44 996 |
34.0 |
16.9 |
15.8 |
|
Upper River |
86 000 |
33 045 |
40 437 |
42.9 |
16.5 |
20.2 |
|
North Bank |
51 850 |
26 938 |
26 782 |
23.5 |
12.2 |
11.2 |
|
Total |
305 000 |
145 959 |
158 095 |
26.9 |
12.9 |
13.9 |
Source: AHPD (1979). Densities calculated by authors.
The Gambia still has one of the densest cattle populations in Africa. Cattle numbers seem fairly stable. Stocking rate was 25.5/km² in 1973, 27/km² in 1975, 26.2/km² in 1978 and 26.8/km² in 1979.
The highest livestock concentrations are found in the Upper River and McCarthy Island Divisions which occupy 47% of the total area and account for 44% of the cattle population, 55% of the sheep population and 54% of the goat population.
2.3.1 N'Dama breed characterisation
2.3.2 Diseases
2.3.3 Herd management and composition
Almost the whole cattle population of The Gambia is of the N'Dama type. Some N'Dama x zebu crossbreeds and zebu are found in the eastern part of the country. In 1985 the N'Dama accounted for 95% (290 000 head) of the total cattle population, the N'Dama x zebu crossbreeds for 3% (9000 head) and the zebus for 2% (6000 head) (Quartey, 1984; Shaw, 1985).
As of its establishment in 1984, ITC developed a livestock breeding and monitoring methodology. The preliminary results, which were submitted to the ITC Board of Trustees at its first two meetings (ITC, 1985; 1986), are presented in this document. More comprehensive data on the performance traits of N'Dama under village conditions in the Gambia will, however, be published shortly by the Centre.
2.3.1.1 PERFORMANCE TRAITS
According to a survey conducted by Clifford between 1974 and 1979 (Clifford, 1986a), age at first calving is between 40 and 66 months and fertility rate between 50 and 60% in areas of low trypanosomiasis challenge.
A recent study on annual calving patterns, based on 83 births in 15 herds in Keneba, Manduwarr, Karantaba and Burong (ITC, 1985), shows that 44.6% of calves are born in November, December, January and February.
In 1986, Clifford (1986b) quoted the body weight by age group of 21 herds in the Kombo area under village conditions in an area of low trypanosomiasis risk. The results are given in Table 3.
Table 3. Body weight by age group in the Kombo area.
|
|
Age |
Number |
Weight (kg) |
Extremes |
|
|
Females |
8 D |
523 |
230 |
(165-345) |
|
|
6 D |
53 |
199 |
(130-275) |
||
|
4 D |
52 |
177 |
(100-290) |
||
|
2 D |
61 |
151 |
(80-220) |
||
|
1-2 |
82 |
110 |
(50-160) |
||
|
0-1 |
179 |
66 |
(25-130) |
||
|
|
Subtotal |
|
1 010 |
|
|
|
Males |
8 D |
20 |
283 |
(200-350) |
|
|
6 D |
19 |
205 |
(150-250) |
||
|
4 D |
33 |
190 |
(140-265) |
||
|
2 D |
40 |
161 |
(85-220) |
||
|
1-2 |
61 |
121 |
(60-175) |
||
|
0-1 |
156 |
69 |
(30-145) |
||
|
|
Subtotal |
|
329 |
|
|
Source: Clifford (1986b).
ITC (1985) noted trypanosomiasis infection rate varied with age and that weight was also influenced by infection rate. Preliminary results of this study are given for information purposes in Table 4.
Table 4. Influence of age on trypanosomiasis infection rate and of infection rate on growth.
|
Infection rate and age |
Age |
Infection rate (%) |
Average weight (kg) | ||
|
|
0-1 year |
2.1 |
44.5 | ||
|
|
1-3 years |
7 |
128 | ||
|
|
3-6 years |
6.8 |
216 | ||
|
|
6 years |
6.5 |
248 | ||
|
|
SITE | ||||
|
|
Gunjur |
Keneba | |||
|
Infection rate tryp. (%) of cattle |
2.3 |
9.1 | |||
|
Average age |
|
| |||
|
|
- preweaning |
47 |
42 | ||
|
|
- postweaning |
130 |
127 | ||
|
|
- of breeding females (> 4 years) |
242 |
222 | ||
Source: ITC (1985).
ITC has also started studying the milk-yield potential of N'Dama in the Gambia (ITC, 1986). A total of 400 lactations for 85 cows (53 at Keneba and 32 at Gunjur) were monitored. The results, based on data collected for individual cows over a four-month period at an interval of 25 to 35 days, indicate an average daily milk yield of 1.6 kg per cow at Keneba and 1.2 kg at Gunjur. This, according to the authors, accounts for the higher average daily weight gain of calves at Keneba (0.21 kg/day) compared to those at Gunjur (0.16 kg/day).
Since the joint vaccination campaign against rinderpest (P.C 15) was carried out between 1966 and 1969, there has been no outbreak of the disease in The Gambia. All calves are vaccinated annually against the disease. In 1981 and 1983, The Gambia received FAO assistance in the form of vehicles, vaccines and refrigerating and veterinary materials, as part of the Pan-African Emergency Vaccination Campaign against Rinderpest. FAO also provided technical assistance for the training of staff
Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia is still a serious threat in The Gambia and annual vaccination is compulsory.
There are occasional outbreaks of anthrax, blackquarter and hemorrhagic septicemia. Sporadic cases of tuberculosis and brucellosis have also been reported but there incidence has been low. Streptothricosis is a major problem among calves during the rainy season.
Liver flukes are found in areas bordering rivers and in swampy areas but its incidence is unknown for the time being.
Babesiosis and anaplasmosis are common diseases although the infection rate is low (FAO, 1986).
According to an ITC survey conducted in the Gunjur and Keneba areas, the rate of trypanosomiasis infection in cattle was 2.3% and 9.1%, respectively.
The most important feature of the husbandry system practiced in The Gambia is the fact that the animals are not herded in enclosures but are tethered by their horns to wooden stakes at night. After pasture grazing the herd returns to the night pen area where each animal is tethered to this stake by the horns. This is worth noting when monitoring and conducting individual research on supplementary feeding.
Herd composition in two ITC areas of operation is analysed in Table 5.
Table 5 shows that there is a significant difference between animals in the 0-1 year group and those in the 1-2-year group for both males and females. This indicates a high mortality rate between birth and 1 year.
With regard to animal traction, FAO (1980) gives a figure of 17 672 oxen (5.8% of the national cattle population) for 1978. In 1970, this number was between 300 and 400 oxen.
These figures demonstrate the growing interest in draught animals shown by farmers during the past few years. Draught animals are put to work at about five years old and work continuously for five years. It should nevertheless be noted that in spite of an increased interest much of the draught power required is provided by donkeys.
Table 5. Herd composition in two areas.
|
|
Villages |
Kombo |
Kiang West |
|
|
Females |
8 |
43.5% |
29.9% |
|
|
6 |
4.0% |
5.3% |
||
|
4 |
3.9% |
5.7% |
||
|
2 |
4.6% |
4.3% |
||
|
1-2 years |
6.1% |
8.1% |
||
|
0-1 year |
13.4% |
9.5% |
||
|
|
Subtotal |
75.4% |
62.8% |
|
|
|
Number |
1 010 |
450 |
|
|
Male castrates |
8 |
0% |
7.4% |
|
|
Males |
8 |
1.5 |
3.1% |
|
|
6 |
1.4% |
2.1% |
||
|
4 |
2.5% |
3.1% |
||
|
2 |
3.0% |
3.9% |
||
|
1-2 year |
4.6% |
8.1% |
||
|
0-1 year |
11.7% |
9.5% |
||
|
|
Subtotal |
24.6% |
37.2% |
|
|
|
Number |
329 |
266 |
|
|
Total |
100% |
100% |
||
|
Total number |
1 339 |
716 |
||
Source: Touray and Clifford (1985).
The most recent data available on sheep and goats are for diseases.
The latest Animal Health and Production Department report presented at a FAO/CILSS (FAO, 1986) meeting identifies the major disease affecting sheep and goats in The Gambia as peste de petite ruminants (PPR) which causes heavy losses and requires the organisation of vaccination campaigns. Streptothricosis and internal parasites are widespread and also cause heavy economic losses.
The most important event of the study period was the establishment of the International Trypanotolerance Centre (ITC) which is responsible for and has significantly promoted the "Trypanosomiasis Research Programme in the Gambia". The activities of the Centre and of Yundum station are presented in Table 6.
Table 6. Research centres and programmes in The Gambia.
|
Name |
: International Trypanotolerance Centre |
|
Location |
: Three major project sites: Abuko, 10 km from Banjul; Bansang, 310 km from Banjul and Keneba, 170 km from Banjul. |
|
Size |
: Abuko 35 ha; Bansang 200 ha and Keneba 200 ha. |
|
Breeds and numbers |
: N'Dama |
|
Objectives Bob |
: to encourage better utilisation of trypanotolerant livestock and increase
productivity of village herds using all possible means. The Centre consists
of three components: |
|
Aid |
: The production and development subproject is funded by ADD loan repayable
over a period of 50 years with a grace period of 10 years. |
|
Name |
: Yundum Experimental Station and sheep and goat development project. |
|
Location |
: Yundum, 25 km from Banjul and Yoroberi Kunda. |
|
Organisation responsible |
: Animal Health and Productivity Department |
|
Size |
: 200 ha |
|
Breeds and numbers |
: 120 N'Dama and a nucleus herd of 16 sheep. |
|
Objectives |
: to study reproduction performances and parameters of N'Dama; intensification of sheep and goat production. |
|
External aid |
: Assistance requested from UNDP. |
Sources: Shaw (1985); Touray (1985).
The Gambia Mixed Farming and Resource Management Project envisaged in the previous study was established in 1980 with the assistance of USAID for a period of five years. Although the main objective of the scheme is the production of wheat for human consumption, it also includes a draught power component.
Between 1985 and 1987, The Gambia received funds from UNDP for the implementation of a programme entitled "Assistance to the Department of Animal Health and Production". The aim of the project, which is managed by FAO, is to reorganise the administrative aspect and the field sections of the Department of Animal Health and Production.
The Livestock Marketing Board (LMB) is responsible for marketing and exporting trypanotolerant breeding stock. The LMB has holding grounds at Pirang and Farabasuta with a capacity of 300 head each, at Kabokor of 600 head and at Sikunda for 100 head. These serve as an assembly point for animals purchased in villages for slaughter or for export (Straw, 1985).
In the more specific field of livestock production, FAO carried out a study mission as part of the international programme for the development of the meat sector. The following four projects, for which funds are being sought, have been identified:
· Animal health improvement- Institution: AHPD
- Location: Various sites in the country
- Duration: Four years
- Cost: US$ 2 450 000· Applied research on trypanotolerance and production of trypanotolerant livestock
- Institution: AHPD
- Location: To be decided
- Duration: Four years
- Cost: US$ 2 100 000· N'Dama multiplication and improvement Centre
- Institution: AHPD
- Location: Yori Beri Kunda
- Duration: Five years
- Cost: US$ 2 500 000· Sheep breeding pilot project
- Institution: AHPD
- Location: Yundum
- Duration: One year
- Cost: US$ 50 000
However, projects 2 and 3 can be considered to be covered by ITC activities.
The Gambia River Basin Authority is also planning to establish a project to improve
N'Dama livestock and increase the number of N'Dama breeding centres (UNDP, 1982) has been envisaged but so far implementation has not yet begun.
Clifford D. 1986a. Reproductive performance of N'Dama cattle in the Gambia. Second International Trypanotolerance Centre Council meeting, February 1986. The Gambia.
Clifford D. 1986b. Weights by age in 21 Kombo districts herds. Second International Trypanotolerance Centre Council meeting, February 1986. The Gambia.
Department of Health and Production, The Gambia. 1979. Annual report for 1979 Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Banjul, The Gambia.
FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). 1980. International meat development scheme: Report on a mission to the Gambia. FAO, Rome, Italy.
FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations). 1986. Consultants' report on the improvement of animal health services in CILSS member countries. Vol II - Country reports and project proposals. Consultations held in Banjul, The Gambia, 23-27 June 1986. FAO, Rome, Italy.
ITC (International Trypanotolerance Centre). 1985. First International Trypanotolerance Centre Council Meeting. February 1985.
ITC (International Trypanotolerance Centre). 1986. Second International Trypanotolerance Council Meeting, February 1986.
Quartey S B. 1984. First meeting to coordinate the activities in West Africa of the Programme for the Control of African Animal Trypanosomiasis and Related Developments held in Bobo-Dioulasso. FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Shaw A. 1985. Report on a consultation mission on the marketing and breeding of trypanotolerant cattle. FAO project GCP/RAF/190/ITA. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Snow W F and Rawlings P. 1986. Entomology component of the International Trypanotolerance Centre, The Gambia. A summary of observations made during the first year. Second International Trypanotolerance Centre Council Meeting, February 1986. The Gambia.
Touray B N. 1985. On-going activities of the ITC. First International Trypanotolerance Council Meeting, February 1985.
Touray B N and Clifford D. 1985. The national N'Dama herd in The Gambia. First International Trypanotolerance Council Meeting, February 1985.
UNDP (United Nations Development Programme). 1982. Development of the Gambia River Basin. Preinvestment action plan. In support of country development strategies. New York, USA. 251 pp.
The cattle population of The Gambia has been considered stable for several years and the cattle population density remains the highest in Africa. The sheep and goat population increased slightly during the same period (+12%). However, the increase was due exclusively to an increase in the sheep population which appears to be increasing while the number of goats remains static. The use of draught power has increased considerably over the past 10 years and the number of draught animals is currently estimated at 5.8% of the total livestock population.
The landmark event in livestock production was the establishment in 1984 of the International Trypanotolerance Centre (ITC) and the development of its research and development programmes. This Centre is of importance not only to livestock production in The Gambia but to all countries involved in trypanotolerant livestock production.
