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Environmental problems associated with livestock production in Tropical Africa

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Abstract

Besides contributing to a substantial proportion of the meat supply, livestock forms an integral part of the tropical African economy. Livestock is a frequent form of financial investment. Meat, being the most common protein source, is in short supply, therefore, the need to develop the livestock industry to meet demand is great. Due to the cost of concentrates and feeds, animals are often allowed to graze freely. However, the outcome of this free grazing is a serious environmental problem. Because of the ecological nature of the tropics a lot of diseases abound, some of which have been triggered by livestock breeding methods. Increased herding and agriculture have caused excessive removal of vegetation, lowering of the water-table and desiccation of the land, with a resultant gradual change in climate and vegetation.

Suggestions are made on possible improvements to local livestock breeding processes through standardized management and, supplements of traditional husbandry with agricultural-feeds from industrial and agricultural-industrial by-products. Permanent settlement of nomadic herdsmen in properly watered improved pasture-land is recommended.

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  1. Department of Chemical Sciences, The Polytechnic-Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

    Onah R. Ogri

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  1. Onah R. Ogri
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Ogri, O.R. Environmental problems associated with livestock production in Tropical Africa. The Environmentalist 19, 137–143 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006645101781

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