Investigation of changing pattern in goat breeds in Sokoto-Rima River Basin, semi-arid Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the changing pattern in goat breeds in Sokoto-Rima River Basin, semi-arid Nigeria. Cluster sampling technique was used to administer the questionnaire to 450 farmers who were sampled from 15 agricultural settlements in fifteen local governments in the basin. Data were analyzed using frequency and percentages. Fifty-three (52.6%) percent of the farmers in the basin rear goats. Sokoto Red (Maradi) accounted for 90.71% of the goat breeds while West African Dwarf Goats (WAD), Hausawa and Sahelian (Desert) goats ranged from 0.42% to 8.02%. Sixty-nine (68.77%) percent of the farmers reared the same breed of goat in the 1970s, 10.13% changed breed while 21.10% did not rear goat in the past. Out of 10.13% farmers that changed goat breed, 7.59% reared Sokoto Red (Maradi) in the 1970s, 1.69% reared Sahelian (Desert) goats while 0.84% reared West African Dwarf (WAD). About ten percent (9.71%) farmers attributed the change in goat breed to climate variability, notably drought. Farmers were affected in the range of one to four drought impacts. The highest (38.38%) were those affected by three impacts, with a range of 0.84% to 15.19% while the least (10.12%) were those affected by four impacts. Size reduction was the greatest consequence of drought on goats while death of goats, reduction in offspring (calving) and milk yield and infertility in male goats were also important. Goats were more resistant to drought than other livestock types.

Keywords: farmers, goat breeds, drought impacts, semi-arid tropics