Dairy Farm Breeding Practices and Milk Production in the Sudano Guinean and Sudano Sahelian Zones of Cameroon

Abstract

Aim: In Cameroon, research in the development of the milk sector has focused its studies on the quality (chemical and microbiological) of milk without specifically presenting the breeding context. The present work therefore, aims at shading more light on the description of the milk sector in Cameroun. Location and Duration of the Study: The study was carried out in the Sudano-Sahelian and Sudano-Guinean zones of Cameroon from April 2012 to March 2013. Methodology: The investigation was based on a pre-designed questionnaire. The questionnaire was filled out based on observations and discussions with the farmers. Results: The main results show that the size of the livestock farm is largest in the Sudano-Guinean zone. Cow feed was supplemented in the two zones, milking was done manually and milk production varied according to the season and zone. In the Sudano Sahelian zone, average milk production varied from 1/L/day/cow to approximately 1.5/L/day/cow alternately during the dry and the rainy season. While in the Sudano-Guinean zone average milk production was 3.5L/day/cow during the dry season and 4.2 L/day/cow during the rainy season. In general good hygienic and milking practices were poor. Conclusion: Milking practices in the Sudano Sahelian and Sudano Guinean zones are rudimentary and are not proficient enough to ensure optimum production. These constraints are due to the lack of training of dairy farmers in good breeding and hygienic practices.