Challenges and opportunities for smallholder livestock production in post-conflict South Kivu, eastern DR Congo

Abstract

A survey on smallholder livestock production with emphasis on monogastric animals was conducted in 20 villages of seven so-called ‘groupements’ of South Kivu province in DR Congo, situated along a north to south-west axis with the town of Bukavu in the center. This land adjacent to Lake Kivu is located at elevations ranging around 900–1900 m asl, experiencing tropical highland climate. A diagnostic survey helped to rapidly obtain in-depth knowledge of constraints and opportunities in this environment. Correspondence analysis and multiple regression analysis were used to investigate the association of production constraints with particular livestock species and to understand the factors that govern the number of livestock that people owned (converted to tropical livestock units [TLU]), respectively. Responses of 112 informants demonstrated that livestock is an integral part of the region’s mixed farming systems. Low livestock numbers per household at present reflect the poverty as a consequence of recent violent conflicts. Currently, farmers focus on small livestock, like poultry, swine, cavies (i.e., Guinea pigs) and rabbits. Families keep livestock to accumulate household reserves that are strongly invested in children’s education. Major issues of animal husbandry were related to animal diseases and lack of feed resources, particularly in the dry season. Lack of feed or forages were unrelated to a particular livestock species. Livestock holdings depended on animal diversity, location, land size available and respondents’ education level. The potential introduction of improved forages is challenged by their dry-season tolerance, compatibility with cropping on small farms; and people’s readiness to cultivate forages.

What are the key factors influencing consumers’ preference and willingness to pay for meat products in EasternDRC?

“…In Eastern DRC, limited economic growth during the past few years has created an expanding middle‐ and high‐income population (Maass, Musale, Chiuri, Gassner, & Peters, 2012; Van Acker, 2005; Vlassenroot, Ntububa, & Raeymaekers, 2003). Subsequently, these consumers’ dietary patterns have changed swiftly toward higher levels of consumption of meat products, while those in the low‐income category continue to suffer extreme poverty and malnutrition (Kandala, Madungu, Emina, Nzita, & Cappuccio, 2011; Rossi, Hoerz, Thouvenot, Pastore, & Michael, 2006).…”

“…Butchers commonly sell in small or large quantities of cut meat, although goats, chickens, and rabbits are generally sold live and slaughtered at home. High‐ and middle‐income households purchase beef or goat meat but lower‐income households often choose smaller animals such as pigs, poultry, and rabbits, as their coping strategy (Maass et al., 2012). However, small animals are sold in the markets only when household needs arise, and the money raised is mostly invested in school fees (Zozo et al., 2012).…”

Economic losses associated with Peste des petits ruminants in Turkana County Kenya

“…One TLU was defined as being equivalent to one cow with a body weight of 250 kg while sheep and goats were defined as 0.125 TLU (McCabe 2004;Maass et al 2012).…”

On-farm description and status of Nuer (Abigar) cattle breed in Gambella Regional State, Ethiopia

“…In these areas, where crop production is unavailable due to physical and climatic barriers, there exists only a considerable livestock production (Maass et al, 2012) and a relatively feasible livelihood strategy in order to buffer and maintain food security, which has been practiced as a main-stay of life and coping strategy at resilient ecosystems (FAO, 2006). This production system has accounted for over 40% of the world agricultural output at the global level.…”