Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Muturu cattle breed management in the smallholder farming area of the Ouémé district in the south of Benin: rearing practices, objectives, and constraints

  • Regular Articles
  • Published:
Tropical Animal Health and Production Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An exploratory survey was conducted to understand breeding practices and breeding objectives as well as the constraints as a first step towards developing breeding strategies for the conservation of Muturu cattle breed in Ouémé smallholder farming area of South Benin. Data were generated through randomly interviewing 100 selected Muturu cattle keepers in the municipalities of Adjarra, Adjohoun, Akpro-Missérété, and Bonou using an electronic animal genetic resource characterization, inventory, and monitoring tool. Results indicated that the Muturu cattle were mainly kept for their meat. The mean herd sizes of 3, 5, 4, and 33 were obtained in Adjarra, Adjohoun, Akpro-Misserete, and Bonou respectively. Cattle keepers were exclusively male in the various municipalities surveyed except for Adjohoun, where 28.57% of cattle keepers were female. Preference was given to this breed because it is less demanding in terms of inputs and well adapted to the local environment. Mating was generally uncontrolled. The animals were fed on a natural pasture exclusively irrespective of the season. Robustness and vigor were the most frequently reported traits in selecting breeding bulls, while breeding females were kept based on their offspring’s growth and conformation. The decline in the number of Muturu cattle in the region was largely attributed to the competition for land used for other purposes such as crop cultivation and animal theft. Considering the devastating threat on the Muturu cattle breed, it is recommended that a participatory management scheme be designed and implemented for in situ conservation of the Muturu cattle breed in Benin.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adebambo, A.O., 2001. The muturu: A rare sacred breed of cattle in Nigeria. Animal Genetic Resource Information, 31, 27-36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adeniji, K.O.,1983. Review of endangered cattle breeds of Africa. Animal genetic resources in Africa. Second OAU expert committee meeting on animal genetic resources in Africa, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

  • AFDB, 2017. African Development Bank. La vallée de l’Ouémé se transforme grâce au PAIA-VO. https://www.afdb.org/en/projects-and-operations/selected-projects/benin-la-vallee-de-loueme-se-transforme-grace-au-paia-vo-23. Accessed 24 September 2019.

  • Alkoiret, T.I., Gbangboche, A.B., 2005. Fécondité de la vache Lagunaire au Bénin. Age au premier vêlage et intervalle entre vêlages. Revue d'élevage et de médecine vétérinaire des pays tropicaux, 58, 61-68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, R.L. and Gray, G.D., 2004. Appropriate breeds and breeding schemes for sheep and goats in the tropics: the importance of characterizing and utilizing disease resistance and adaptation to tropical stresses. In: Sani, R.A., Gray, G.D., Baker, R.L. (Eds.), Worm Control for Small Ruminants in Tropical Asia, Monograph 113. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), 63-95.

  • Bebay, C.E., 2006. Première évaluation de la structure et de l’importance du secteur avicole commercial et familial en Afrique de l’Ouest. http://www.fao.org/docs/eims/upload/213782/agal_poultrysector_westafrica_jun06_fr.pdf. Accessed 11 July 2019.

  • Chawala, A.R., Banos, G., Peters, A., Chagunda, M.G.G., 2019. Farmer-preferred traits in smallholder dairy farming systems in Tanzania. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 51, 1337-1344.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Codjia, V.,1981. Trypanotolérance et immunité : recherche sur les taurins de la république populaire du Bénin. (Thèse d’état de médecine vétérinaire non publiée, Ecole inter-états des sciences et médecine vétérinaire de Dakar, 96p).

  • DAD-IS, 2019. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System. http://www.fao.org/dad-is/en/. Accessed 28 September 2019.

  • DDAEP Ouémé, 2015. Direction Départementale de l’Agriculture, de l’Elevage et de la Pȇche de l’Ouémé. Rapport annuel de la situation sanitaire du CARDER Ouémé et de la DDAEP-Ouémé.

  • DDAEP Ouémé, 2018. Direction Départementale de l’Agriculture, de l’Elevage et de la Pȇche de l’Ouémé. Rapports annuel de la situation sanitaire du CARDER Ouémé et de la DDAEP-Ouémé.

  • Domingo, A.M., 1976. Contribution à l’étude de la population bovine des états du golfe du Bénin. Paris, France, Agence de coopération culturelle et technique, 143 p.

  • Dossa, L.H., Vanvanhossou, F.U.S., 2016. The indigenous Somba cattle of the hilly Atacora region in North-West Benin: threats and opportunities for its sustainable use. Tropical animal health and production, 48, 349-359.

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO, 2012. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Invisible Guardians - Women manage livestock diversity. FAO Animal Production and Health, Paper No. 174, Rome.

  • FAO, 2015. Organisation des Nations-Unis pour l’Agriculture et l’Alimentation. Secteur Avicole Bénin. Revues nationales de l’élevage de la division de la production et de la santé animales de la FAO, Paper No. 10, Rome.

  • Farougou, S., Agbadje, P., Kpodekon, M., Adoligbe, C., 2006. Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis on the states farms of Samiondji and Betecoucou in Benin. Revue Africaine de Santé et de Productions Animales, 4, 27-31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gicheha, M.G., Akidiva, I.C., Cheruiyot, R.Y., 2019. Genetic and economic efficiency of integrating reproductive technologies in cattle breeding programme in Kenya.Tropical Animal Health and Production, 51, 473-477.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gwaza, D.S., Momoh, O.M., 2016. Endangered indigenous cattle Breeds of Nigeria a case for their conservation and management. Word Science News, 30, 68-88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gwaza, D.S., Yahaya A, Chia S.S, 2018. Assessment of herd size and structure of the savanah muturu on free range in relation to genetic improvement in the Benue trough of Nigeria. Research and Reports on Genetics, 2, 26-32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanotte, O., Tawah, C.L., Bradley, D.G., Okomo, M., Verjee, Y., Ochieng, J., Rege, J.E.O, 2000. Geographic distribution and frequency of a taurine Bos taurus and an indicine Bos indicus Y specific allele amongst sub Saharan African cattle breeds. Molecular Ecology, 9, 387-396.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karnuah, A.B., Dunga, G., Wennah, A., Wiles, W.T., Greaves, E., Varkpeh, R., Osei-Amponsah, R., Boettcher, P., 2018. Phenotypic characterization of beef cattle breeds and production practices in Liberia. Tropical animal health and production, 50, 1287-1294.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kassa, S.K., Ahounou, G.S., Dayo, G.K., Salifou, C.F.A., Dotché, O. I., Issifou, T.M., Gandonou, P.,Kountinhouin, G.B., Mensah, G.A., Yapi-Gnaoré, V., Youssao, A.K.I, 2016. Évaluation et modélisation de la production de lait des vaches Girolando, Borgou, Lagunaire et croisées Azawak × Lagunaire, élevées dans le système semiamélioré au Bénin. Journal of Applied Biosciences, 103, 29-40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koudandé, O.D., Dossou-Gbété, G., Mujibi, F., Kibogo H., Mburu, D., Mensah, G.A., Hanotte, O., Van Arendonk, J.A.M., 2009. Genetic diversity and zebu genes introgression in cattle population along the coastal region of the Bight of Benin. Agri-bulletin, 44, 45-55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kounonzo, M.L., 2011. Prévalence des infections trypanosomiennes chez les bovins dans la commune de Seme-Kpodji. Mémoire de master en production et santé animales. Université d’abomey-calavi, 73p.

  • Kugonza, D.R., Nabasirye, M., Hanotte, O., Mpairwe, D., Okeyo, A.M., 2012. Pastoralists' indigenous selection criteria and other breeding practices of the long-horned Ankole cattle in Uganda. Tropical animal health and production, 44, 557-565.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesaffre, E., 2009. Statistical and methodological aspects of oral health research. John Wiley & Sons.

  • Maule, J.P., 1990. The cattle of the tropics. Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Great Britain, 225p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Megnigbèto, H., 2013. Etat des ressources génétiques au Bénin. Communication. http://docplayer.fr/24411266-Par-dr-hubertine-megnigbeto-aplogan-responsable-des-productions-animales-direction-de-l-elevage-cotonou-benin-avril-2013.html. Accessed 9 July 2019.

  • Nitter, G., 2000. Developing Crossbreeding structures for extensive grazing systems utilizing only indigenous animal genetic resources. In: Galal, S., Boyazoglu, J. and Hammond, K. (editors), Workshop on Developing Breeding Strategies for Lower Input Animal Production 22-25 September 1999, Bella, Italy. ICAR Technical, 3, 179-206.

  • Oldenbroek, K., Van der Waaj, L. (2014). Textbook animal breeding. Center for Genetic Resources and Animal Breeding and Genomics Group. Wageningen University and Research Center, 312p.

  • Phillips, C.J.C., 2009. Principles of Cattle Production, CABI, 2009 - 233 p.

  • R Core Team., 2016. R: a language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roessler, R., 2019. Selection Decisions and Trait Preferences for Local and Imported Cattle and Sheep Breeds in Peri-Urban Livestock Production Systems in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Animals, 9, 207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salifou, C.F.A., Dahouda, M., Ahounou, G.S., Kassa, S.K., Tougan, P.U., Farougou, S., Youssao, A.K.I., 2012. Evaluation of carcass traits of Lagunaire, Borgou and Zebu Fulani bulls raised on natural pasture in Benin. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 22, 857-871.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salifou, C.F.A., Dahouda, M., Houaga, I., Picard, B., Hornick, J.L., Micol, D., Youssao, A.K.I., 2013. Muscle characteristics, meat tenderness and nutritional qualities traits of Borgou, Lagunaire and zebu Fulani bulls raised on natural pasture in Benin. International Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 5, 143-155.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sikhweni, N.P., Hassan, R., 2014. Determinants of herd size among small-scale cattle farmers: the case of selected villages at the Mhinga Traditional Authority in Limpopo, South Africa. Agrekon, 53, 106-122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tada, O., Muchenje, V., Dzama, K., 2013. Preferential traits for breeding Nguni cattle in low-input in-situ conservation production systems. Springerplus, 2, 195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uza, D.V., 1997. The productivity of Muturu cattle (Bos brachyceros) under ranching conditions in the Southern Guinea Savanna of Benue state, Nigeria. Outlook on Agriculture 26, 19-23.

    Google Scholar 

  • WB, 2018. World Bank. World Development Indicators, 2018. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.AGR.TOTL.ZS. Accessed June 7 2019.

  • Wilkie, W.J.O., 1964. The importance of milk production in beef cattle. Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, 4, 11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wurzinger, M., Ndumu, D., Baumung, R., Drucker, A., Okeyo, A.M., Semambo, D.K., Sölkner, J., 2006. Comparison of production systems and selection criteria of Ankole cattle by breeders in Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 38, 571-581.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yisehak, K. 2008. Gender responsibility in smallholder mixed crop–livestock production systems of Jimma zone, South West Ethiopia. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 20, 1.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work is part of an ongoing project, initiated jointly by the unit of research on communicable diseases and the Directorate of Animal Husbandry in Benin. We extend our sincere appreciation to the staff of the Ouémé district Agriculture, Husbandry and Fisheries Directorate for their support and involvement in the data collection process. We are equally grateful for the smallholder cattle keepers who participated in this study.

Funding

Funding from the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources under the genetics project is greatly appreciated.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, Unit of Research on Communicable Diseases, University of Abomey-Calavi, P.O. Box 2009, Cotonou, Benin

    M. C. Adoligbe, M. A. Amaveda, D. Djimenou & S. Farougou

  2. Technology and Innovation, Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya

    M. S. Adido

Authors
  1. M. C. Adoligbe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. A. Amaveda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. S. Adido
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. D. Djimenou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. S. Farougou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. C. Adoligbe.

Ethics declarations

Statement of animal rights

The manuscript does not contain clinical studies or patient data.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Adoligbe, M.C., Amaveda, M.A., Adido, M.S. et al. Muturu cattle breed management in the smallholder farming area of the Ouémé district in the south of Benin: rearing practices, objectives, and constraints. Trop Anim Health Prod 52, 3015–3025 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-020-02320-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-020-02320-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation