A Suggested Program For Beef Production In The Savannas Of West Africa

Author

Loveridge Nuku Kofi Ababbio, Prairie View Agricultural And Mechanical College

Date of Award

1-1963

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Degree Discipline

Agriculture

Abstract

Reasons for the Study

The author's reasons for making this study are threefold.

1. There is a general deficiency of the protective values, especially animal protein, in the people's diet throughout West Africa. This deficiency becomes striking as one moves south to the Guinea Coast where conditions have long been unfavorable to livestock production,

2. There is a general lack of modern scientific practices in animal husbandry among farmers which makes what production there is inefficient.

3. Since 1957, almost all the countries of West Africa, formerly under colonial domination, have become independent. This means that the governments of these countries must plan their own economies whieh in the past were tied up In the economic policies of the Colonial Powers. Animal husbandry happened to be one of the phases of agriculture which lacked administrative emphasis as it could hardly have produced a profitable export commodity to the colonial countries which have a ready market for their animal products in West Africa.

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to work out a suggested program for Animal Husbandry which may be adaptable in part or in whole by private farmers as well as governments in improving beef production in West Africa.

Facilities and Method for the Study

In undertaking this study, an attempt was made to review the available literature on Animal Husbandry in West Africa in particular, tropical and sub-tropical countries in general, in order to find the practices that could be applicable or adaptable to West African conditions. In this respect, the experience of the cattlemen in the Southern States of the United States of America, particularly in Prairie View area, was drawn upon through personal contacts and interviews. The conditions in Waller County where Prairie View is situated, are similar for the most part of the year to those of the main cattle producing areas of West Africa.

Secondly, the writer drew on his personal observations and experience in working with livesteekmen, notably Fulani tribesmen, the only cattlemen of any repute in West Africa, during his two and a half years' service in the Ghana Agricultural Service.

The study covers the geographical area bounded by the latitudes 5°N. and 17°N. and about 15eW. and 15°B. longitudes. This essentially covers the following countries: 1. Former French countries: Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Togo, Dahome, and Cameroons with a sea board} and to the inland, Upper volta, Mali, and Niger, the later two bordering the Sahara Desert. 2. Former British countries J Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Gambia which is still in transition to independence at the time of this study; all have a sea board.

Committee Chair/Advisor

J. C. Williams

Committee Member

Tettey

Publisher

Prairie View Agricultural And Mechanical College

Rights

© 2021 Prairie View A & M University

Date of Digitization

3/8/2022

Contributing Institution

John B Coleman Library

City of Publication

Prairie View

MIME Type

Application/PDF

Recommended Citation

Kofi Ababbio, L. N. (1963). A Suggested Program For Beef Production In The Savannas Of West Africa. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.pvamu.edu/pvamu-theses/1278