Typology of small ruminant production systems and dairy farm characterization in Benin

Livestock farming constitutes a principal component of the economic sector in West Africa, particularly within rural communities.

A cross-sectional survey was performed in six agroecological zones to advance the development of small ruminant farming in Benin and elevate producers' incomes, aiming at categorizing the diverse forms of small ruminant farming and uncovering the essential factors that differentiate them.

A total of 288 farmers from various regions were surveyed using a semistructured questionnaire implemented on KoboCollect. Data were then analyzed using multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and ascending hierarchical classification (AHC).

Approximately 70% of the farmers interviewed were men, compared with 30% of the women. More than half (55%) had received no formal education, whereas the majority (91%) were fairly experienced and had been raising small ruminants for at least 5 years. Three farming systems were adopted for sheep and goat rearing: extensive, semi-intensive, and intensive, practiced by 78%, 18%, and 2.8% of farmers, respectively. A number of diseases were frequently noted, primarily respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia (67%), abscesses (48%), and dermatitis (33%). The MCA identified three clusters: type 1, which is composed of dairy farms and accounts for 14.5% of the total number of farmers; type 2, which accounts for 50% of the total number of farmers and is composed of meat producers with good husbandry practices and management of health constraints; and type 3, which accounts for 37.7% of the total number of farmers and is composed of meat producers with acceptable husbandry practices but poor management of health constraints.

The milk-producing farms adopted good feeding practices and regularly vaccinated and dewormed their livestock. In addition to meat production, sheep and goats can be used for milk production in Benin if good husbandry practices are promoted and adopted in flock management.