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Development Sector: Janga Area: Animal Husbandry Program
Surveying the Janga project landscape in 1987...
the probability of finding a farming operation with a substantial amount of livestock would be unheard of. In fact, with the population numbering in the thousands, the figures would literally be 1 or 2 individuals with any financial capabilities to raise such as herd. A more realistic depiction of the Janga area would reveal approximately 40% of the village homes owing a single goat or sheep. The ownership of such an animal in Northern Ghana is considered an investment item. In the event that a family faces an emergency and immediate funds are required, the animal would be considered an acceptable payment or easily sold. Unfortunately as encouraging as a rate of 40% may appear, the same percentage could apply to the number of animals facing serious illnesses such severe diarrhea or diseases such as anthrax or worm infestation.
1993
The NEA's primary focus in the early years was concentrated on establishing the crop farming program, but with assistance from GRID & CIDA, in 1993 they were able to begin purchasing a small amount of quality sheep, goats and breeding cattle that could produce the bullocks needed for use in the crop ploughing operations. The NEA's was aiming to establish the animal husbandry program to compliment the crop farming operations as well as keeping with the long-term objectives of reaching self-sustainability. Through cross-breeding with hardier cattle, sheep and goat types, they have also improved the quality of animals available in the area.
During the period of 1993-94, Veterinarian Dr.Adam Harunah; an NEANEA board member, introduced the immunization and veterinarian care program to the Janga project site. This vet care and immunization program is still in operation to date. The hands-on care that the vet program brought, quickly branched out into educational forums that to continue to attract large audiences, as issues surrounding animal husbandry are presented and discussed. Issues such as disease recognition and treatment, preventative measures for maintaining healthy livestock and cross-breeding are just a few of the topics that are brought to light in these quarterly meetings.
1996-97
Roughly three years after the animal husbandry program was stepped up, the increase of the livestock herd has expanded to the point of requiring a large permanent site corral within the Janga project site. A corral typically will have an outer wall of 5’ in height, made from local brick and finished with a concrete surfacing, the diameter averages 50’ and is built upon a concrete foundation that slopes outward from the center. As a result of this growth in the herd, the NEA now designates 2 bullocks to a small cluster group of 20-30 women for use in the ploughing seasons. By enabling the women to utilize the bullocks for ploughing, a degree of strenuous physical has been lifted from them. They are further encouraged by the early preparation of the field, so that seed can be in place to take advantage of ideal growing conditions.
2000
If you were to visit the Janga project site today you would find a very different landscape from that of 1987. The percentage of village homes that own livestock has increased 45% from 40% to 85%. Handicapped individuals, once facing certain unemployment have been able to provide for themselves through their own animal husbandry co-op in which they were each provided with a sheep or goat as start up capital. Diseases and sicknesses amongst the livestock has been greatly reduced. The once unthinkable export of meat (bull) from the project area has become a solid source of income.
NEA’s herds and flocks have continued to grow over the years providing a ‘bank’ of improved animals which the local farmers can draw from to improve their own animals. As at July, 2007, their goats numbered 38, sheep numbered 96, cattle numbered 129 and they had begun a guinea fowl rearing project. NEA’s animal husbandry project remains a great model for area farmers to see and copy.