Cattle Breeding Practices in the Savannah Region of Togo

Abstract

Due to its geographical position, the Savannah region of Togo is more affected by the effects of desertification.  Climate change and human actions are degrading the natural resources on which cattle breeding depends; which pushes breeders to adapt the practices of their activities. Our study aims to analyze the different practices in the management of cattle breeding in this region of the Savannah. A representative sample of 150 breeders is constituted on the basis of their spatial distribution and the number of animals kept. A two-part questionnaire is submitted to him. The first part of the questionnaire allows us to have data on the breeder's operation while the second part provides us with information on the cattle herd. The analysis of the exploitation is carried out on the basis of the social status of the breeder and that of the herd concerns the number, breeds raised and management. The result is that the average age of farm managers is 52 ± 6 years. These breeders combine agriculture with livestock breeding and they have no fallow plots or land reserves. What emerges is the coexistence of three breeding practices largely dominated by the fulani ethnic group: “Cultivating Breeders”, “Breeding Farmers” and “Agro-breeders”.   Cattle farms also include other species including sheep (48% of farms), goats (17%) and the sheep-goat association (26%). The herds are formed from purchase (49%), inheritance (31%), donations (10%) and borrowing (10%). Faced with the degradation of natural resources, the former cattle breeding areas (prefectures of Tône, Tandjouare and Cinkassé) are intensifying agricultural activities; while new ones (Kpendjal, Oti and Oti-sud) are emerging in livestock areas. Cattle breeding practices are changing; and presure on natural resources combine with the effect of climate change to lead breeders to change.