Characteristics of Smallholder Goat Production at Selected Communities in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted in eight communities (Akamkpa, Calabar, Ikom, Obubra, Obudu, Odukpani, Ogoja and Ugep) in Cross River State using structured questionnaires to evaluate characteristics of smallholder goat production in the state. A total of 1200 questionnaires were administered randomly in the eight communities. The results showed that 25% of household owners of goats were females, while 75% commercial goat farms employed male labor. West African Dwarf goat was the common breeds of goats raised in the eight communities.  Majority of the household owners of goats practiced free-range system of production (57.57%), while a large percentage (75%) of the commercial goat farms practiced intensive system of production. There were no specialized housing and feeding programs, with a larger percentage of both categories feeding crop residues and cowpea husk to the goats. The household owners of goats seldom feed forage to their goats (17.86%), while 25% commercial goat farms feed forage to the goats. The common diseases in the area were diarrhea, pneumonia, Peste des petite ruminate (PPR) and mange. Control breeding was not practiced. The constraints to goat production in the area-included accidents, season lack of feed, diseases, theft, lack of capital and land.