Skip to main content

Advertisement

Springer Nature Link
Log in

Constraints to Hamari sheep farming under range conditions in Darfur and Kordofan Regions of Western Sudan

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

Abstract

The study was conducted to identify the major production constraints of Hamari sheep in Darfur and Kordofan Regions of Western Sudan. A structured questionnaire was administered to 128 farmers in Darfur and Kordofan. Feed shortages, prevalence of diseases and parasites, and predation were more severe in Darfur than Kordofan (P < 0.05). Thefts were ranked higher by farmers using the sedentary system compared to those using semi-nomadic system (P < 0.05). Water shortage was ranked higher by farmers with small flocks, large flocks, semi-nomadic and sedentary husbandry system in Kordofan than their counterparts in Darfur Region (P < 0.05). Farmers practising semi-nomadic husbandry system and sedentary system in Darfur region ranked diseases, parasites and predation higher than those practising semi-nomadic and sedentary system in Kordofan region (P < 0.05). Feed shortage was ranked higher as a challenge by farmers practising semi-nomadic system in Darfur Region than those practising semi-nomadic system in Kordofan Region (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that the severity of challenges facing Hamari sheep producers vary with flock size, region and production system used.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

References

  • Abebe, Y., Melaku, S., Tegegne, A., Tegegne, F., 2013. Assessment of Sheep Production System in Burie District, North Western Ethiopia. Global Journal of Agricultural Research, 1 (2):29–47,

    Google Scholar 

  • Abusuwar, A.O., Ahmed, E.O., Abdel Bagi, Blal, M., 2012. Effect of Feeding Treated Groundnut Hulls with Molasses on Performance of Desert Sheep during Late Summer in Arid Range of Western Sudan. International Journal of Theoretical & Applied Sciences, 4 (2): 122–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adam, A.I., Fadlalla, B., Fangama, I.M., 2012. Preferred plant species by goats in semi - arid zone at Umkaddada locality, North Darfur State, Sudan. Asian Research Publishing Network (ARPN) Journal of Science and Technology, 2 (10): 950–956

  • Ahmed, A. Egwu, G.O., 2014. Management practices and constraints of sheep farmers in Sokoto state, North Western Nigeria. International Journal of Science, Environment and Technology, 3 (2):735 – 748

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahab, O.A., Ishag, I.A. and Ahmed, M.K.A., 2014. The Hamari sheep production systems in Darfur and Kordofan. Merit Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Soil Sciences, 2 (4): 57–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Hag, F.M., Fadlalla, B., Mukhtar, H.K., 2001. Some Production Characteristics of Sudan Desert Sheep under Range Conditions in North Kordofan, Sudan. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 33: 229–239.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Idris, A., Kijora, C., El-Hag, F.M., Salih, A.M., Sayed A.F.E., 2014. Climate change adaptation strategies for sheep production in rangeland of Kordofan site, Sudan. World Essays Journal, 1 (1): 20–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalmer, J.F., Klare, U., Macdonald, D.W., 2012. Seasonal diet and prey selection of black-backed jackal on a small- livestock farm in South Africa. Africal Journal of Ecology. 50: 299–307.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, N., Rao, TKS., Varghese, A., Rathor, V.S., 2013. Internal parasite management in grazing livestock. Journal of Parasitic Diseases 37(2):151–157

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kosgey, I.S. and Okeyo, A. M., 2007. Genetic improvement of small ruminants in low-input, small holder production systems: technical and infrastructural issues. Small Ruminant Research, 70: 76–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larson, H. 1996., Relationships between rainfall and sorghum, millet and sesame in the Kassala Province, Eastern Sudan. Journal of Arid Environments, 32 (2): 211 – 223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mapiye, C., Chimonyo, M., Dzama, K., Raats, J.G. and Mapekula, M., 2009. Opportunities for improving Nguni cattle production in the smallholder farming systems of South Africa. Livestock Science, 124: 196–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marufu, M.C., Chimonyo, M., Dzama, K., Mapiye, C., 2010. Seroprevalence of tick-borne diseases in communal cattle reared on sweet and sour rangelands in a semi-arid area of South Africa. The Veterinary Journal, 184: 71–76.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mohamed Ali, M.A., Abdella, H.O., Elimam, M.E., Sulieman, A.H., El-Hag, F.M., Neama, A.E. and Jadalla1, J.B., 2014. Pre-weaning Body Measurements and Performance of Desert Sheep (Tribal Subtypes Hamari and Kabashi) Lambs of Kordofan Region, Sudan. Malaysian Journal of Animal Science, 17 (1): 35–45.

  • Omer, M.B.A., 2011. Management practices and body characteristics of Sudan Desert Sheep (Hamari type). MSc. Thesis, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patton, M., 1990. Qualitative evaluation and research methods. Newbury Park, CA, Sage Publications, pp. 66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Statistical Analysis Systems., 2009. Statistical analysis system (SAS) Institute Inc., Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.

  • Singh, R.D., Sushila Kaul and Sivaramane, N., 2006. Migratory Sheep and Goat Production System: The Mainstay of Tribal Hill Economy in Himachal Pradesh. Agricultural Economics Research Review, 19: 387–398.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sulieman, A. H., Sayers, A. R., Wilson, R. T., 1990. Evaluation of Shugor, Dubasi and Watish subtypes of Sudan Desert sheep at El-Huda National sheep Research Station. International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA) Research Report No. 18, ILCA, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

  • Suresh, A., Gupta, D., Mann, J.S., 2011. Trends, Determinants and Constraints of Temporary Sheep Migration in Rajasthan — An Economic Analysis. Agricultural Economics Research Review, 24: 255–265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yehia, E.O., 2002. Ecology of some herbaceous forage species, North Kordofan State, MSc. Thesis, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank the University of KwaZulu-Natal Research office for providing financial support. We also thank the farmers in Darfur and Kordofan for their willingness to provide the data.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

    Ahmed Berima Tirab & Michael Chimonyo

Authors
  1. Ahmed Berima Tirab
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Michael Chimonyo
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Chimonyo.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

None

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tirab, A.B., Chimonyo, M. Constraints to Hamari sheep farming under range conditions in Darfur and Kordofan Regions of Western Sudan. Trop Anim Health Prod 48, 1109–1114 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-016-1056-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-016-1056-z

Keywords