Animal African Trypanosomosis (AAT) and Economic Production of Cattle Among Smallholder Cattle Farmers in Edo State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to analyse the economics of cattle production under the effect of Trypanosomosis Disease among smallholder cattle farmers in Edo State, Nigeria. Trypanosomosis is a disease caused by trypanosomosis parasites and remains a major cattle health challenge in Nigeria. The study specifically sought to identify trypano-tolerant and tryperno-susceptible breeds of cattle and determine the costs and returns of cattle production in the study area with respect to tolerance and susceptibility of cattle breeds. A multi stage sampling technique was applied to select 270 pastoralists mostly from the Fulani extraction from 27 communities across nine Local Government Areas in the three agricultural zones of the State. Data were obtained from both primary and secondary sources and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and costs and returns analysis. The results revealed that the major trypano-tolerant breeds of cattle raised in the study area were Muturu (21.4%), Keteku (19.6%), and N'Dama (19.6%) while susceptible breeds were White Fulani (19.6%), Sokoto Gudali (17.9%) and Red Bororo (17.9%). The survival rate for trypano-tolerant breed was 91.31% while that of tryperno-susceptible breed was 88.00 %. The profitability analysis showed that the respondents realized more income breeding trypano resistant breeds than trypano-tolerant breeds of cattle. The result revealed a total revenue generated of N26,270,313 while the gross margin and net profit were ₦17,412,110.00 and ₦16,852.756.00 respectively. The study recommends that pastoralists should be encouraged to adopt ranching management systems to better cope with the trypanosomes (parasites) infection.