Abstract
An Economic Opportunity Survey was conducted on dairy farms in the North West Province of Cameroon. Results showed that median (range) number of cows in milk per farm was zero point six (0–4) and six (3–12) in the zero grazing and transhumance systems, respectively. Medians (range) of three (0–24) and four (3–10) litres of milk were sold per farm per day, corresponding to 30% and 60% of milk produced. 24% and 13% of total cattle per herd were milking cows in the zero grazing and transhumance systems respectively. Median milk production per cow on one day was two (0–25) and two (1–3) litres. Median calf production interval was 14.5 (12–25) and. 21.5 (14–29) months. More milk produced per day represented the best economic opportunity in both systems while reduced age at first calving and longer lactation length were the next in both. Wastage of milk through spoilage from poor hygiene and lack of cooling was a major problem. Holstein cows, which were in the zero grazing system, had unexpectedly short lactations. Constraints identified led to the setting up of interventions of training and advice for farmers and of better nutrition.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bayemi, P.H., Bryant, M.J., Perera, B.M.A.O., Mbanya, N.J., Cavestany, D. and Webb, E.C., 2005a. Milk production in Cameroon: A Review. Livestock research for rural development 17 (6). http://www.cipav.org.co/lrrd/lrrd17/6/baye17059.htm
Bayemi, P.H., Bryant, M.J., Pingpoh, D., Imele, H., Mbanya, J., Tanya,V., Cavestany, D., Awoh, J., Ngoucheme, A., Sali, D., Ekoue, F., Njakoi, H. and Webb, E.C., 2005b. Participatory Rural Appraisal of Dairy Farms in the North West Province of Cameroon. Livestock research for rural development 17(6). http://www.cipav.org.co/lrrd/lrrd17/6/baye17060.htm
Cavestany, D., Galina, C.S., 2000. Evaluation of an artificial insemination program in a seasonal mating dairy system through milk progesterone. Reproduction in Domestic Animals; 36: 79–84
FAO., 2000. Production yearbook. Via delle Terme di Caracalla 00100, Rome
HPI (Heifer Project International), 1999. Evaluation of the dairy program of Heifer Project International (HPI) in Cameroon; Report P.O. Box 467 Bamenda Cameroon
McDonald, P., Edwards, R.A. and Greenhalgh, J.F.D., 1988 Animal nutrition 4th edition, Longman Scientific and Technical, Essex, UK, p 462
Merlin, P., Tsangueu, P. and Rousvoal, D., 1986. Seasonal dynamics of the infestation of cattle by ticks (Ixodoidea) in the high plateaus of western Cameroon. 1. A one-year study of three sites around Bamenda. Revue d’Elevage et de Médecine Vétérinaire des Pays Tropicaux, Vol.39, No.3–4, p 367–376
MOAC (Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives), 1998. The Tanzanian dairy subsector. A rapid Appraisal. Vol. 1. Executive Summary. Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
Msangi, B.S.J., Bryant, M.J., Nkya, R. and Thorne, P.J., 2004. The effects of a short-term increase in supplementation on reproduction performance in lactating crossbred dairy cows. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 36
Ndambi, A., 2006. Recent trends in African milk production systems. In. Hemme et al., (2006)
Njoya, A. and Trenkle, A., 1992. Effects of cotton seed meal supplementation on performance, forage intake and digestibility by zebu steers grazing semi-arid pasture. In: A. Njoya: Effects of cotton seed meal supplementation on the performance and pasture utilization by zebu steers, (PhD thesis, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa)
Nordlund, K.V., Goodger, W.J., Bennett, T.B., Shamsuddin, M and Klos. R.F., 2007. Methods for Conducting an Economic Survey in Small-Holding Dairy Farms, Tropical Animal Health and Production, (special issue)
O’Kelly, J.C., Post, T.B. and Bryan, P.P., 1988. The influence of parasitic infestations on metabolism, puberty and first mating performance of heifers grazing in a tropical area. Animal Production Science. 16:3–4
PNVRA (National Agricultural Extension and Research Program), 2002. Preparation of the farming season 2002. PNVRA in a flash, PNVRA/NAERP/NWP, Bamenda, Cameroon
Shamsuddin, M., Hossein, M.S., Bennet, T., Goodger, W.J., Azizunnesa and Nordlund, K., 2006. A survey to Identify economic opportunities for smallholder dairy farms in Bengladesh. Tropical Animal Health and Production 38: 131–140
Staal, S.J., Owango, M., Muriuki, H., Kenyanjui, M., Lukuyu, B., Njoroge, L., Njubi, D., Baltenweck, I., Musembi, F., Bwana, O., Muriuki, K., Gichungu, G., Omore, A. and Thorpe, W., 2001. Dairy systems characterisation of the greater Nairobi milk Shed. SDP Research report. Smallholder Dairy (R&D) project, Nairobi, Kenya
Tawah, C. L., Mbah, D.A., Messine, O. and Enoh, M.B., 1998, Effects of genotype and environment on milk production and reproduction of improved genotypes from the tropical highlands of Cameroon. Proceedings of the 6th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, Armidale, NSW, Australia, 11–16
Williams, G.L, 1990. Suckling as a regulator of postpartum rebreeding in cattle. A review. Journal of Animal Science, 68, p 831–852
Winrock International, 1992. Animal Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa, 162 pp, University of California, Davis, CA: Institute of Agricultural Development
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bayemi, P.H., Webb, E.C., Manjeli, Y. et al. Economic opportunity survey of small scale dairy farms of the north west province of Cameroon. Trop Anim Health Prod 39, 583–592 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-007-9063-8
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-007-9063-8