17.1 Background
17.2 Cattle and distribution
17.3 Cattle
17.4 Sheep and goats
17.5 Research and development activities
17.6 Selected bibliography
17.7 Major changes since 1977
The Directorate of Livestock Production created in 1981, is under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Production which is responsible for almost all state companies concerned with agriculture.
The Directorate comprises the following five divisions:
- Cattle, Sheep and Goat Production Division
- Poultry Farming Division
- Pig Production Division
- Animal Health Division
- Veterinary Inspection Division.
Data on human and animal populations of the country are given in Table 1.
Table 1. Human and animal populations of the Congo, 1983/1984.
|
Human population (1984) | ||
|
|
- number |
1 900 000 |
|
|
- density |
5.5/km² |
|
Animal population (1983) | ||
|
|
- cattle |
65 000 |
|
|
- sheep |
85 000 |
|
|
- goats |
180 000 |
Source: For human population: Assogbakpe (1985). For animal population: Direction de l'Elevage (1983) quoted by Assogbakpe (1985).
According to Frezil and Eouzan (FAO, 1982) G. morsitans is not found in the Congo. Distribution and infestation rate of G. palpalis and G. fusca is uneven. The riverine gallery forests of Upper Likouala, Djoué valley (tributary of the Congo upstream from Brazzaville), Niari and its main tributaries, are infested with G. palpalis palpalis and G. fuscipes quanzensis.
The dominant species may vary depending on the area. G. palpalis palpalis is rare around Makoua; G. fuscipes quanzensis seems to be the most common species in Moukomo. This species is also common in villages located at the foothills of the Batéké land.
G. fusca species are not very common in the country and G. tabaniformis is more frequent than G. fusca. The latter was not found south of latitude 2 north until 1953. G. tabaniformis is found along the Congo River as far south as Brazzaville and even farther (Louboulou Ranch).
Tsetse control using traps was introduced in 1979 in the two main infestation areas:
- Niari area located along the Brazzaville-Pointe noire axis (G. palpalis palpalis vector),- The "Couloir" area on Congo River upstream from Brazzaville (G. fuscipes quanzensis Vector). The main objective of the programme was to control human trypanosomiasis (EOUZAN, 1986).
Cattle distribution in the different ranches in 1982/83 is shown in Table 2. N'Dama is the main breed raised in ranches.
Table 2. Distribution of cattle in the different ranches, 1983.
|
Ranches |
Numbers |
|
Dihesse |
12 111 |
|
Louila |
5 732 |
|
Louboulou |
3 549 |
|
Massangui |
7 537 |
|
Louamba |
6 701 |
|
Total |
35 630 |
Source: BDPA (1984).
Table 3 shows the distribution of cattle under traditional management in 1982/83. Some 16 000 N'Dama are maintained under this system, the remainder being Lagune breeds and some crossbreds.
Table 3. Distribution of cattle under traditional management, 1982/83.
|
Region |
Number |
|
Kouilou |
10 |
|
Niari |
3 513 |
|
Lekoumou |
481 |
|
Bouenza |
10 953 |
|
Pool-Braz. |
10 789 |
|
Plateaux |
70 |
|
Cuvette |
455 |
|
Sangha |
99 |
|
Private schemes |
3 000 |
|
Total |
29 370 |
Source: Direction de l'Elevage (1982).
The cattle population of the Congo is 65 000 head, including some 54 000 N'Dama and 10 600 Lagune.
Between 1977 and 1983, the number of cattle increased from 43 000 head to 65 000 head through importation of large numbers of N'Dama (1985 head) from Zaire.
17.3.1 Breed description
17.3.2 Diseases
17.3.3 Management systems
17.3.1.1 N'DAMA
Ranches or production stations account for 65.5% of the N'Dama population. Only 34.5% are under traditional management.
17.3.1.1.1 Production traits
Production parameters for N'Dama raised on the Dihéssé ranch were recorded in 1979 and 1981.
The data collected are presented in Table 4.
Table 4. N'Dama production traits in Dihessé ranch, 1979 and 1981.
|
|
1979 |
1981 | |
|
Age at first calving (months) |
|
33 | |
|
Calving rate (%) |
72.9 |
75 | |
|
Calf mortality rate (%) |
4.5 |
4 | |
|
Adult mortality rate (%) |
1.25 |
1.25 | |
|
Birthweight (kg) |
20 |
20 | |
|
Weaning weight at 8 months (kg) |
104 |
100 | |
|
Weight of 2-3 year old heifers (kg) |
180-200 |
| |
|
Adult cow weight (kg) |
250 |
250 | |
|
Bull weight (kg) |
320 |
350 | |
|
Carcass yield (%) | |||
|
|
- bulls |
53 |
|
|
|
- mature cows |
48-50 |
|
Source: Ministry of Planning (Ministère du Plan) (1981).
The highest fecondity rate was recorded at Dihéssé ranch. Performances on ranches established earlier, such as Masangui ranch, established in 1952, are lower. Fecundity and mortality rates for 1983 for the different ranches are given in Table 5.
Table 5. Fecundity and mortality rates for the different ranches, 1983.
|
Ranch |
Calving rate (%) |
Overall mortality rate (%) |
|
Dihesse |
67 |
2.5 |
|
Louila |
47 |
1.8 |
|
Louboulou |
46 |
4 |
|
Massangui |
25.4 |
0.9 |
|
Louamba |
27 |
0.9 |
Source: BDPA (1984).
17.3.1.1.2 Productivity index
Estimates of the main production parameters required to compute a productivity index based on total weight of a 1-year-old calves produced per 100 kg of cow maintained per year are given in Table 6. This productivity index is based on data collected at Dihessé ranch in 1979 and 1981.
Table 6. N'Dama productivity estimates.
|
|
1979 |
1981 |
|
Adult female viability (%) |
98.7 |
98.7 |
|
Calving rate (%) |
72.9 |
75 |
|
Calf viability to 1 year (%) |
95.5 |
96 |
|
Calf weight at 1 year (kg) |
120(a) |
120(a) |
|
Productivity estimates per cow per year (kg) |
84 |
86.9 |
|
Cow weight (kg) |
250 |
250 |
|
Productivity estimate per 100-kg cow maintained per year (kg) |
33.6 |
34.8 |
(a) Estimates
Source: Indices calculated by authors.
17.3.1.2 LAGUNE
No recent data on the production parameters of this breed are available.
The health situation in the country remains satisfactory. No case of rinderpest has been reported and streptothricosis remains a marginal problem.
A few outbreaks of bovine pleuropneumonia were reported in herds maintained in the vicinity of Djambala. The disease seems to be under control. Brucellosis is widespread (37% of positive-testing in some ranches in 1977) and vaccination has been recommended to prevent abortions. Tuberculosis is often mentioned. However, the confirmed cases are few. Cases of otitis, the aetiology of which has not been indicated, have also been reported on some ranches. Trypanosomiasis vectors are T. vivax, T. congolense and T. brucei. Mortality rate is 25% (FAO, 1982; 1985).
The two management systems used in the Congo are the village and ranching systems. BDPA (1984) gives a detailed description of both systems.
17.3.3.1 VILLAGE MANAGEMENT
The village-management system (share-tenancy) smallholder herds are found mainly in the southern part of the country with the greatest concentration in Bouenza, Pool and Niari Regions.
A total of 954 Lagune were imported from Benin between 1953 and 1959 under individual sharecropping schemes mainly in Kimango District. Beneficiaries were required to repay the loan with an equal number of cattle of the same age as that provided plus half the herd natural growth, at the end of the contract. At the same time, the M'Passa N'Dama Multiplication Station was providing competent producers with N'Dama on a loan basis. Here, the sharecropping repayment of the loan on contract only provided natural growth.
Since 1963, the government has been trying to establish large herds through collective sharecropping. A total of 100 heifers and five bulls were loaned to cooperatives of 20 members. Members committed themselves and raised a working capital through the payment of a contribution. The four collective herds established in 1963 were a failure due to the following reasons:
- misunderstanding between members- unequal distribution of contributions as some members contributed land and other labour. The relative value of these services could not be easily evaluated
- the misconception of the populations which regarded the associations solely as a means of obtaining cattle and lacked a spirit of cooperation.
Consequently, conditions for participating in sharecropping operations have been slightly modified. Participation is now limited to members of pre-cooperatives or family units.
The operations have being temporarily discontinued due to a shortage of distribution stock at M'passa Station and of lack of resources to recover government cattle detained by sharecroppers. Smallholder cattle owners or sharecroppers are to be found in all provinces except Likouala.
17.3.3.2 RANCHING
The Government is the biggest cattle producer with some 40 000 head maintained under extensive ranching by the "Office du Gros Bétail" (OGB). Government-owned livestock are maintained in
- six main units: M'passa, Louila, Massangui, Louamba, Louboulou and Dihesse- an agropastoral society at Madingou
- other small regional or research stations located in
- Pool (km Rouge Cattle Research Centre, Mankoussou, Kinpala and Kilebe-Moussa farms)
- the highlands (Etoro farm)
- the Basin (Etumbi farm)
- Sangha and Likouala.
Cattle on all Government farms are of the N'Dama breed except for those at the km Rouge Cattle Research Station which takes up research already conducted on the acclimatisation of 295 head of zebu and Orison imported from Cuba.
Since 1948, N'Dama have been imported from Guinea, Senegal and Zaire for Louila, Louboulou and Dihesse ranches. Zebu cattle were also imported from Cameroon and Central African Republic but died from trypanosomiasis, streptothricosis or piroplasmosis in spite of treatment. Management of these ranches have proved difficult. The farm hands have no tradition of livestock management. The N'Dama, normally docile in its original habitat, rapidly becomes wild in these vast expanses of rangelands where it loses all contact with man (Crouail, 1984).
17.4.1.1 SHEEP
In 1981, the Ministry of Planning conducted a survey to estimate the main production parameters for sheep under village conditions. The productivity index showing the total weight of five-month-old lambs per 10 kg of ewe per year was calculated from data collected during this survey and is given in Table 7.
Table 7. Productivity estimates for West African dwarf sheep.
|
Ewe viability (%) |
90 |
|
Lambing rate (%) |
78 |
|
Lamb viability to one year (%) |
67 |
|
Lamb weight at five months (kg) |
13(a) |
|
Productivity index per ewe per year (kg) |
7.15 |
|
Ewe weight (kg) |
25 |
|
Productivity index per 10-kg ewe maintained per year (kg) |
2.8 |
(a) Estimates.
Source: Indices calculated by authors.
17.4.1.2 GOATS
Estimates for the main production parameters required to calculate a productivity index giving the total weight of five-month-old kids produced per 10 kg of dam per year are given in Table 8. The index is based on data collected under village conditions (Ministère du Plan, 1984).
Table 8. Productivity estimates for West African Dwarf goat.
|
She-goat viability (%) |
90 |
|
Kidding rate (%) |
70 |
|
Kid viability to one year (%) |
67 |
|
Kid weight at five months (kg) |
13(a) |
|
Productivity index per goat per year (kg) |
6.4 |
|
Adult goat weight (kg) |
18 |
|
Productivity index per 10 kg of goat maintained per year |
3.55 |
(a) Estimates.
Source: Indices calculated by authors.
In 1982, sheep management systems took these three forms (FAO, 1982):
- Village sheep management system where sheep are allowed to graze freely- Urban sheep management system, practiced in some urban areas by individuals who are mainly traders: the animals are kept in an enclosure in the compound and are raised for sale during major religious feasts and for home consumption
- Organised sheep breeding practiced by individuals and missions in urban areas: sheep graze in controlled (fenced) pastures and on sheep farms. Supplementary feeding in the form of maize and salt licks is normally provided. Regular health care is provided (drenching for gastro-intestinal parasites) and young males castrated.
17.5.1 Research centres
17.5.2 Multiplication herds
17.5.3 Development programmes
The Brazzaville Veterinary Laboratory continues its work on the identification of diseases on State farms.
The largest multiplication herds in the country are listed in Table 9. There are also smaller government livestock production centres at Etoro, Plateaux region (17 head), Mankoussou, Pool Region, Etumbi, Cuvette region (27 head), Sangha (22 head) and Likouala (12 head). These figures are for 1985. Recent data on Odziba sheep farm are unavailable.
Table 9. Multiplication herds.
|
Name |
Mpassa farm |
|
Location |
Pool region, 2 km from Mindouli |
|
Organisation responsible |
Office du Gros Bétail (OGB) |
|
Size |
16 000 ha available, 2000 ha in use |
|
Breeds and numbers |
500 N'Dama (1985) |
|
Objectives |
Should be converted into a livestock research centre (CRZ) |
|
Remarks |
Lack of funds to launch the CRZ. |
|
Name |
APN farm |
|
Location |
Pool Region, 20 km from Kindamba |
|
Organisation responsible |
National People's Army |
|
Size |
500 ha |
|
Breeds and numbers |
476 N'Dama and 250 sheep (1985) |
|
Objectives |
Beef production |
|
Remarks |
Supplies the Army. |
|
Name |
Louila Ranch |
|
Location |
Pool Region, 30 km from Mindouli |
|
Organisation responsible |
OGB |
|
Size |
13 000 ha of fenced pastures |
|
Breeds and numbers |
5732 N'Dama (1983 and 1985) |
|
Objectives |
Beef production and stock breeding |
|
Remarks |
Projected herd size of 6000 head. |
|
Name |
Louboulou Ranch |
|
Location |
Bouenza, 30 km from Loudima |
|
Organisation responsible |
OGB |
|
|
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Production |
|
Size |
16 000 ha including 12 000 ha of fenced pastures |
|
Breeds and numbers |
3543 N'Dama (1983 and 1985) |
|
Objectives |
Production of beef cattle and breeding stock |
|
Remarks |
Projected herd size of between 6 000 and 8000 head. |
|
Name |
Dihesse ranch |
|
Location |
Bouenza, 45 km from Loudima |
|
Organisation responsible |
OGB |
|
Size |
64 000 ha including 30 000 ha of fenced pastures |
|
Breeds and numbers |
12 111 N'Dama in 1983 and 13 000 in 1985 |
|
Objectives |
Beef production and stock breeding |
|
Remarks |
Projected herd size of 16 000 with possibilities for expansion. |
|
Name |
Louamba ranch |
|
Location |
Bouenza, 25 km from Nkayi |
|
Organisation responsible |
OGB |
|
|
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Production |
|
Size |
12 000 ha of which 7251 ha in use |
|
Breeds and numbers |
6071 N'Dama in 1983 and 7143 in 1985 |
|
Objectives |
Beef production and stock breeding |
|
Remarks |
Projected herd size of 8000 head. |
|
Name |
Massangui Ranch |
|
Location |
Bouenza, Mouyondzi District |
|
Organisation responsible |
OGB |
|
|
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Production |
|
Size |
30 000 ha available. 12 200 ha in use |
|
Breeds and numbers |
7537 N'Dama in 1983; 7691 in 1985 |
|
Objectives |
Production of beef cattle and breeding stock |
|
Remarks |
Projected herd size of 9000 head. |
|
Name |
Madingou Agro-pastoral Company |
|
Location |
Bouenza, 15 km from Madingou |
|
Organisation responsible |
Congolo-Romania Company |
|
Size |
- |
|
Breeds and numbers |
1867 N'Dama in 1985 |
|
Objectives |
Production of beef cattle |
|
Remarks |
- |
Source: BDPA (1984); FAO (1985).
Plans for the establishment of two new ranches are under consideration. Data on the ranches are given on Table 10.
Table 10. Planned new ranches.
|
Name |
Cuvette Ranch |
|
Location |
Makoua, Cuvette Region |
|
Organisation responsible |
OGB |
|
Size |
- |
|
Breeds and numbers |
Projected herd size of 5000 N'Dama |
|
Objectives |
Establishment of a breeding herd |
|
Remarks |
Funds are still being sought. |
|
Name |
Plateau Ranch |
|
Location |
Plateau Region |
|
Organisation responsible |
OGB |
|
Size |
- |
|
Breeds and numbers |
Projected herd size of 2000 N'Dama |
|
Objectives |
Establishment of a breeding herd |
|
Remarks |
Funds are still being sought. |
Source: FAO (1985).
As part of the African Animal Trypanosomiasis Control and Development of infested areas programme, an FAO mission visited the country in 1981 (FAO, 1982) and identified the following projects:
- Establishment of N'Dama cattle production centre in Makoua, Cuvette Region- Identification of cattle production projects in the Plateaux Region
- Assistance for the operation of Technical Support Centres for Small Ruminant
Production- Trypanosome control in the People's Republic of Congo
- Planning of a National Work Oxen Development Project.
In 1985, Congo received UNDP assistance for three months as part of the implementation of a project entitled Assistance au Programme des Villages Centres-Developpement rural Intégré. The project also plans to develop sheep production under village conditions.
In 1982, FAO provided assistance to the Congo for a period of four years under a project entitled "Assistance to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Production for the Development of Food Crop and Livestock Production in Rural Areas."
Technical Support Centres (CAT) for the development of small ruminant production were recently established in Makoua, Cuvette, Region, Impfomdo, Likouala Region and at Mpouya, Plateaux region with a view to boosting small ruminant production.
These centre programmes will include several aspects: animal health, pasture improvement, mass selection, herding and night shelters. The Centres, in collaboration with village smallholders, will develop production methods easy to disseminate and to master by all small ruminant owners.
Funds for the project are entirely provided by the Government. Technical assistance for Phase I (1982-1985) and Phase II (1985-1987) will be provided by FAO under the project entitled Technical Support Centre for Small Ruminants Production.
Another small ruminant project was launched in 1984, i.e. the Inoni-Falaises Sheep Production Unit to be established in the Pool Region, north of Brazzaville. The objectives of the two-year project are lamb meat production, the introduction of forage grasses and legumes into rural areas, training of village sheep producers distribution of breeding stock to smallholders, development of a health monitoring system and training of extension workers specialized in sheep production.
Technical assistance is provided by FAO under the "Inoni-Falaises Sheep Production Centre Project".
From the end of 1986, FAO will provide assistance to Congo, mainly in the form of materials, equipment and staff for 26 months, as part of a programme to develop livestock production in Boundji District (Marchés Tropicaux, 1986).
Assogbakpe F. 1985. Consultation mission on the marketing and multiplication of trypanotolerant livestock. FAO project GCP/RAF/190/ITA, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
BDPA (Bureau pour le Développement de la Production Agricole). 1984. Crouail J C, Raveau J C and Bonifiglioli A, Etude de faisabilité du projet de sauvegarde des bovine trypanotolérants en République Centrafricaine, Ministère du Développement rural centrafricain and BDPA. BDPA, Paris, France.
Eouzan J P. 1986. Milan des expériences de lutte non polluantes contre les glossines dans les foyers de maladie du sommeil en République populaire du Congo. Report presented at the workshop on New Techniques for the Control of African Animal Trypanosomiasis, 9-11 December 1986. FAO projects GCP/RAF/190-191/ITA, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). 1982. Report of a preliminary assistance mission to the Peoples Republic of Congo. Programme for the Control of African Animal Trypanosomiasis and Development of Infested Areas. FAO, Rome, Italy.
FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). 1985. Questionnaire on African animal trypanosomiasis in countries covered by FAO projects GCP/RAF/190-191/ITA, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Marchés Tropicaux 1986. FAO: aide à l'élevage dans le district de Bounji. Marchés Tropicaux, 2127 August 1986.
Ministère de l'agriculture, Congo. 1982. Rapport annuel de l'Inspection vétérinaire de janvier à décembre 1982. Direction de l'élevage.
Ministère du Plan, Congo. 1981. Esquisses du Plan de Développement de l'élevage.
UDEAC (Union Douanière des Etats d'Afrique Centrale). 1985. L'élevage des petite Dominants au Congo. Report of a seminar on small ruminant production in UDEAC member states, 2-15 May 1985. Bata.
Significant developments have occured with regard to cattle production. The cattle population, which numbered 43 300 head in 1977 is currently estimated at 65 000 head. Importation of almost 2000 N'Dama and an estimated annual herd growth rate of 10% account for the increase in numbers during this period. Figures given are for cattle maintained both under traditional management and on ranches (Hoste and Shaw, 1987).
The country is also focusing its efforts on small ruminants production. The small ruminant population increased by almost 100% during this period. With the establishment of Small Ruminants Technical Support Centres (CAT) and the technical assistance provided, a rapid increase in sheep and goat production rate is expected.
