14.1 Background
14.2 Livestock numbers and distribution
14.3 Cattle
14.4 Sheep and goats
14.5 Research and development activities
14.6 Selected bibliography
14.7 Major changes since 1977
The country, which was originally divided into seven provinces, is now divided into 10 provinces. The Northwest and Southwest provinces comprise the former English-speaking West Cameroon and the other eight provinces the former French-speaking East Cameroon.
Data on human and animal populations of the country are given in Table 1.
Table 1. Human and animal populations of Cameroon.
|
Human population (1986) |
||
|
|
- number |
9 972 000 |
|
|
- density |
920.9/km² |
|
Animal population (1984) |
||
|
|
- cattle |
4 099 305 |
|
|
- sheep |
2 300 000 |
|
|
- goats |
2 500 000 |
Source: For human population: official projection (+2.4%) for 1986 from 1976 census figures. For animal population: Cameroon (1984).
The numbers and distribution of cattle in 1984 are shown in Table 2.
Table 2. Cattle numbers and distribution, 1984.
|
Province |
Numbers |
% of national herd |
Estimated humpless cattle population |
|
Far North |
1 030 662 |
|
6 567-7 880 |
|
North |
441 193 |
77.43 |
|
|
Adamaoua |
1 702 429 |
|
952 |
|
West |
178 815 |
4.36 |
|
|
North-West |
489 147 |
11.93 |
1 277 |
|
South-West |
11 429 |
0.28 |
|
|
Littoral |
2 867 |
0.07 |
|
|
Centre |
25 000 |
0.61 |
1 508 |
|
East |
209 763 |
5.12 |
|
|
South |
8 000 |
0.2 |
|
|
Total |
4 099 305 |
100 |
10 304-11 617 |
Source: Cameroon (1984).
According to Table 2, North, Far North and Adamaoua Provinces account for 77.4% of the national herd. Although 80% of the country is infested by the tsetse fly, trypanosusceptible zebu constitute over 99.8% of the national cattle herd.
Sheep and goat populations and distribution in 1984 are given in Table 3.
Table 3. Sheep and goat numbers and distribution in Cameroon, 1984.
|
Province |
Sheep |
Goats |
Total |
% of livestock |
|
Far North |
- |
- |
1 805 400 |
37.6 |
|
North and Adamaoua |
- |
- |
441 600 |
9.2 |
|
West |
- |
- |
984 000 |
20.5 |
|
North-west |
- |
- |
456 000 |
9.5 |
|
South-west |
9 600 |
14 400 |
24 000 |
0.5 |
|
Littoral |
105 400 |
158 600 |
264 000 |
5.5 |
|
Centre and South |
263 000 |
394 000 |
657 000 |
13.7 |
|
East |
73 200 |
100 800 |
168 000 |
3.5 |
|
Total |
2 300 000 |
2 500 000 |
4 800 000 |
100 |
Source: Cameroon (1984).
According to Table 3, North, Far North and Adamaoua Provinces still account for 50.4% of the total small ruminants population. A total of 1 113 000 sheep and goats, comprising 22.4% of the population, are found in North, North-west, Littoral, Centre, South and East Provinces. Out of this number, 657 000 are found in Centre and South Provinces. Data on the distribution of sheep and goats by trypanotolerant and trypanosusceptible breeds are not available.
14.3.1 Breed description
14.3.2 Diseases
14.3.3 Herd management
Cameroon has about 11000 head of trypanotolerant cattle consisting of 1500-2000 N'Dama, 6500-8000 Kapsiki and Doayo, 1000-1300 Bakosi and 800-1300 Muturu.
Between the end of 1979 and late 1981, 370 N'Dama (22 males and 348 females) were imported from Kouden, N'Konjock and JVL in Zaire under the M'bongo SOCAPALM (Littoral) project for cattle production under palm plantation. By August 1984, the herd numbered 900 head, including 340 cows.
Production traits recorded in 1983/84 give a fertility rate of 63%, a mortality rate from birth to 1 year of 4%, and a mortality rate for animals over 1 year old of 5%. Mean weight at birth is 17.6 kg and average daily weight gain for unweaned calves is 315 g/d (SOCAPALM, 1984).
The rinderpest epidemic which broke out in the country in February 1983 caused the death of approximately 21000 head of cattle in both the trypanotolerant and trypanosusceptible populations. Although no further outbreaks have been reported since then, the disease remains endemic in the country (FAO, 1985).
In 1979, a tsetse and trypanosomiasis control programme was launched in Benue Province (FAO, 1979). Cameroon is making major efforts to control animal trypanosomiasis. At the end of the 1983-84 Tsetse Eradication Campaign, the Special Tsetse Eradication Mission (MSEG) eradicated the tsetse fly on an estimated 1 700 000 ha thanks to the Tsetse Division of N'Gaoundéré with the assistance of the Tsetse Division of Garoua, another 1 350 000 ha were also freed from tsetse infestation (MSEG, 1983).
A mission (Mawuena, 1985) undertaken under the tsetse and trypanosomes control activities has submitted a project entitled "Tsetse and Animal Trypanosomiasis Surveillance Unit for Tsetse- freed Areas and Strengthening of Special Tsetse Eradication Mission in the Republic of Cameroon with Technical Materials".
Some N'Dama cattle are used as work oxen on the oil palm plantations located in the southern half of the country.
14.4.1 Breed description
14.4.2 Diseases
14.4.3 Herd management
14.4.1.1 SHEEP PRODUCTION TRAITS
Table 4 gives production traits recorded by IRZ under improved management (IRZ, 1983 84) and Neilsen at the Bamenda-Mankon station (Neilsen, 1985).
Table 4. Production traits for West African dwarf sheep under improved management and station conditions.
|
|
Improved management |
On-station | |
|
Fertility rate (%) |
75 |
95.2 (n=21) | |
|
Twinning rate (%) |
10 |
21.3 (n=21) | |
|
Mortality rate (%) 0-4 months |
39 |
30.8 | |
|
Weight at birth (%) |
3.3 |
2.05 (a)-1.57(b) (n=48-24) | |
|
Weight |
|
| |
|
|
at 1 month |
|
5.18 (a)-3.84(b) (n=48-24) |
|
|
at 2 months |
|
8.03 (a)-5.00(b) (n = 48-24) |
|
|
at 4 months |
15 |
|
|
|
of 1-year-old ewes |
|
21.2 (a)-19.5(b) |
|
Average daily weight gain (g/d) |
|
| |
|
|
0-30 days |
|
104 (a)-74(b) (n=48-24) |
|
|
30-80 days |
|
79 (a)-63(b) (n=48-24) |
(a) Single birth; (b) twin birth.
Source: For on-station, Nielsen (1985). For improved management, IRZ (1983-84).
No recent data on diseases are available.
Five major management systems are used in Cameroon. They were described in detail at the Seminar on Small Ruminant Production held in Bata in 1985 (UDEAC, 1985):
a) Free-ranging: The animal is allowed to roam freely and fend for itself This management system involved numerous drawbacks (agropastoral conflicts, poor management of pastures etc) and is prohibited by law. It is, nevertheless, the most common small ruminant management system in Adamaoua and Littoral Provinces.b) Tethering: The animal is tethered to a stake or shrub. Although this system prevents conflicts, animals have to be provided with food and water.
c) Herding: The herd is cared for by a herder.
d) Improved management: This system is becoming more popular. Animals are usually fed supplements (groundnut and cowpea haulm, millet stalks and cakes) and provided with health care. Large herds of 1000 head or more are usual under this system.
e) Fattening is practiced mainly in Far North and North Provinces. Small feedlot units maintain between 20 and 30 castrates which are marketed after a few months of fattening. However, small ruminant fattening is generally limited to one or two animals kept for between 8 and 12 months at most (UDEAC, 1985).
Herd size varies substantially depending on the region. In the southern provinces, with the exception of the West and North-west, average herd size is between 5 and 10 heads. In the northern provinces and North and North-west Provinces, herds of between 15 and 20 head are common. In Far North Province average herd size is 100 head.
Sheep and goats are raised in separate flocks or in mixed flocks of sheep and goats or in herds of sheep and cattle.
14.5.1 Research centres
14.5.2 Multiplication herds
14.5.3 Development projects
The Livestock Research Institute (IRZ) continues to carry out research activities on the improvement and selection of local cattle, sheep and goat breeds and on nutrition. In 1984, IRZ launched a research programme on trypanotolerant breeds aimed primarily at conserving the purity of these breeds.
Yagoua station in Far North Province currently maintains over 200 head of Kapsiki and Namshi which will subsequently be used to form two purebred herds of 250 breeding females. An attempt at establishing Muturu breed on Bangangté Station, Western Province failed for unknown reasons. A further attempt is, however, envisaged.
The following research stations are also managed by IRZ:
- Bambui Station which has a zebu-based beef production programme and a milk production programme using Holstein and Jersey cows. It also conducts research on pastures;- Jakiri Station, a National Livestock Production and Veterinary Training Centre (Assogbakpe, 1985).
Recent data on other research stations mentioned in Volume II could not be obtained.
The National Veterinary Laboratory (LANAVET) conducts analyses and manufactures vaccines in Boklé Garoua. It was established in 1984 and received FAO assistance in 1985 under the project entitled "Vaccine Production at Boklé Laboratory".
A project to provide aid to village sheep producers in Cameroon, with Belgian funding was implemented at Bamenda-Mankon Station, North-West Province in 1981. The project conducts research on the diseases and productivity of the West African dwarf sheep.
In 1979, an N'Dama Production Centre was established on the M'Bongo Plantation of the Cameroon Oilpalm Company (SOCAPALM). The Centre has an area of 10 000 ha and maintained 952 N'Dama, including 340 breeding females in 1985. It aims to produce 4200 head of cattle, including 1300 breeding females for beef production. CCCE provides 65% of the external aid. Phase I will last six years (SOCAPALM, 1984).
The Investment Centre [Centre d'Investissement (FAO/World Bank)] conducted several missions to Cameroon in 1984 to identify priority agricultural investment projects which could attract external aid (FAO, 1984).
An FAO mission visited Cameroon in 1985 (FAO, 1985) under the Dairy Development Coordination Programme (PICDL) and the International Programme for the Development of the Meat Sector (PIDSV). At the end of the mission, the following development projects were submitted:
- development of animal traction- establishment of two pilot centres for the development of small-scale sheep and goat production
- introduction of trypanotolerant cattle to areas of high trypanosomiasis challenge with a view to developing beef production.
The "Meat II plan", which covers Adamaoua and North-west Provinces, is the main livestock development project in Cameroon. Phase II of the project, which was discontinued in January 1986, comprised five components:
- The loans-to-producers scheme (through FONADER)- The establishment of three ranches, two abattoirs and livestock production training and extension units (UVE) to be implemented through the Animal Products Development Company (SODEPA)
- The Special Tsetse Eradication Mission (MSEG)
- The strengthening of veterinary services in Adamaoua
- The Coordination Unit.
To pave the way for the implementation of "Meat II Plan" an agreement for a project entitled "Preliminary Studies for a Livestock Production Project", was signed between the Government of Cameroon which will provide US$ 320 000 from loans secured from the International Development Association (IDA), UNDP which will contribute US$ 80 000 and the World Bank which will implement the project.
The immediate objective of the project which should be completed in 10 months is to carry out a series of baseline studies on:
- the socio-economic environment of livestock production- the impact of tsetse control activities
- loans to producers
- the financial viability of the Animal Products Development Company (SODEPA).
A second FAO consultation mission was scheduled for the end of 1986 to study the possibilities for conserving and multiplying endangered trypanotolerant breeds and identify their role in national livestock development policies (Hoste, 1986).
A project to establish stations in Batouri, Garoua and Mbam region for the development of small ruminant production is under consideration (UDEAC, 1985).
Assogbakpe F. 1985. Consultation mission on the marketing and multiplication of trypanotolerant cattle. FAO project GCP/RAF/190/ITA, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Cameroon. 1981. Fifth Five Year Plan
Cameroon. 1984. Autosuffisance alimentaire. Livre d'Or, Comice Agropastoral de Bamenda.
FAO (Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations). 1979. Technical Report: trypanosomiasis control Establishment of the Bénoué Division for the Eradication of Tsetse (TCP/8/CMR/01/M). FAO, Rome, Italy.
FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). 1984. Report of the Centre for Investment. Cameroon: General identification mission. FAO, Rome, Italy.
Hoste. 1986. Mission Report: Development of trypanotolerant livestock production in Cameroon. FAO project GCP/RAF/19/ITA. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. IRZ (Institut de recherches zootechniques). 1983-1984. Rapport annuel. Yaounde, Cameroon.
Mawuena K. 1985. Report on a consultation mission on the control of tsetse and trypanosomiasis to CAR, Ruanda, Burundi, Cameroon. FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), Rome, Italy.
MSEG (Mission speciale d'eradication des Glossines). 1983. Rapport annuel 1984. Yaounde, Cameroon.
Nielsen M. 1985. Projet d'aide aux éleveurs traditionels de moutons aux Cameroun. Rapport technique 2: Reproduction-croissance-mortalités. Institut de Médecine tropical Prince Léopold, Antwerpen, Belgique. 33 pp.
SOCAPALM (Société Camerounaise de palmeraies). 1984. Résultats acquis en matière d'élevage du bovin N'Dama sous palmeraies industrielles à la SOCOPALM, plantation de M'bongo.
UDEAC (Union douanière des états d'Afrique centrale). 1985. Elevage des petits ruminants en République du Cameroun. Proceedings of a seminar on small ruminant production in UDEAC member countries, held from 2-15 May 1985 in Bata.
Trypanotolerant cattle production is still of minor importance in Cameroon where the total trypanotolerant population is about 11 000 head. This estimate is significantly higher than the figure for 1977 and the increase is certainly due to imports and N'Dama production development at SOCAPALM.
Although limited in numbers, trypanotolerant cattle breeds have not been neglected and IRZ has initiated a research programme on these breeds. Purebred herds of about 250 breeding Kapsoki, Namshi and Muturu cows raised under station conditions are being or will shortly be formed.
The encouraging results obtained by SOCAPALM also indicate that trypanotolerant cattle breeds may become important in the south of the country on oilpalm plantations or in areas such as the relatively sparsely populated Centre Province.
