(a) Give four reasons for rearing goats in West Africa. (b) List three advantages and three disadvantages of the extensive system of rearing goats in West African. (c) State six general characteristics of West African cattle breeds.
Explanation
(a) Reasons for rearing goats in West Africa: For meat (food) production, for skin production, for milk production, highly prolific; producing twins & triplets two times a year, hardy animals which are exceptionally healthy, easier to keep, high economic value/feeding cost is low, for festivals and sacrificial offerings, for prestige purposes, for income, for employment, for educational purposes e.g. teaching and research.
(b) Advantages of the extensive system of rearing goats: (i) low cost of labour (ii) low cost of feeding (iii) low capital investment e.g. housing (iv) ensures fair distribution of manure, manure (waste) is used for fertilizer. Disadvantages of the extensive system of rearing goats: (i) it is difficult to implement a planned breeding programme (ii) there is little effort to control pests (iii) animals fall victim to thieves and predators (iv) it is difficult to control disease outbreak (v) lot of effort needed in controlling the animals (vi) productivity of animal is low i.e. low growth in meat and milk production.
(c) Characteristics of West African breed of cattle: (i) very hardy (ii) have greater tolerance to heat and humidity (iii) tolerant to some diseases e g. trypanosomiasis (iv) withstand stress and can travel long distances without water (v) late maturing (vi) have compact/blocky shape body (vii) are mostly of dual purpose (produce meat and milk) (viii) generally long legged animals (ix) some are humped (x) powerful shoulder for use as draught animals (xi) loose, thin and pigmented skin (xii) low milk yields/small udder (xiii) slow growth rate (xiv) small body weight