East, S/African livestock systems better than Nigeria’s

Several presentations made by cattle farmers from east and southern African countries indicate that cattle fattening and dairy are mainly businesses conducted by smallholder farmers with the support of financial institutions and covered by insurance.In Tanzania for example, a pilot scheme named ‘More Milk in Tanzania’ was launched in 2012 targeted at reducing poverty and […]

Several presentations made by cattle farmers from east and southern African countries indicate that cattle fattening and dairy are mainly businesses conducted by smallholder farmers with the support of financial institutions and covered by insurance.
In Tanzania for example, a pilot scheme named ‘More Milk in Tanzania’ was launched in 2012 targeted at reducing poverty and sourcing for jobs for the poor.
In Ethiopia, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa, cattle rearing for dairy and fattening are popular businesses that a large number of the population practice and proceeds from local sales and export contribute greatly to the country’s GDP.
But in Nigeria, cattle rearing for both fattening and dairy at the level of smallholder farmers does not lead to distinction among the cow as a cow serves for milking and the provision of meat.
Alhaji Buba Abubakar Kumo, leader of Fulani cattle dealers in Edo State said he is not aware of any Fulani cattle herder in Nigeria that has benefitted from any bank loan or financial support from government.
“Some of the Fulani herders you see own the cows they are rearing while others are only taking care of other people’s cows. They are paid in different ways. Every female cow you see us with is used for milking and all cows are used for meat. If government can assist us with the technology of separating cows for dairy different from those for meat, I am sure that will increase production.