Journal of
Agricultural Extension and Rural Development

  • Abbreviation: J. Agric. Ext. Rural Dev
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2170
  • DOI: 10.5897/JAERD
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 489

Full Length Research Paper

Household vulnerability and small ruminant benefits in the transitional zone of Ghana

Stephanie Duku1,2*, Akke J. van der Zijpp1 and Henk M. J. Udo1
1Animal Production Systems Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands. 2Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 06 February 2012
  •  Published: 18 March 2012

Abstract

This study investigated household vulnerability and small ruminant benefits in the transitional zone of Ghana. The dimensions of vulnerability considered were the sex and socio-economic status of the household head, and household morbidity and mortality. Data was collected from 11 key informants, four focus groups, 113 census households, 60 survey households and 10 case study households. Sex of the household head did not significantly affect small ruminant offtake but the trend was for more sheep offtake in male-headed households than female-headed households. Tangible sales and intangible savings and security benefits were of primary importance to all households. Socio-economic status of the household head significantly influenced the sale and slaughter of goats for consumption (P < 0.05). Goat rearing was more market oriented than sheep rearing. More vulnerable households relied on goat sales for income compared to their counterparts. Households did not meet all their expectations in benefits due to small flock sizes, accidents, diseases and theft. Small ruminants were easy to sell but prices fluctuated. It is recommended that ongoing and new small ruminant programmes by governmental and non-governmental organisations to provide stock for the vulnerable should focus on goats and consider management and marketing needs of farmers.

 

Key words: Benefits, goat rearing, headship, offtake, poverty, socio-economic status.