click photos to enlarge
Development Sector: Deg Area: Animal Husbandry Program
Many discouraging similarities could once again be drawn between the two NEA project sites. Approximately 40% of the Deg village homes owned a small animal such as a sheep or goat, for investment purposes. The disease and sickness rates were on par with the initial Janga figures. There appeared to be noticeably less cattle in this area and villagers seemed to own a higher percentage of sheep versus goats. NEA repeated a similar approach with the Deg animal husbandry as they did earlier in Janga. The initial focus was on crop development which would reach a larger audience both from a food necessity and educational perspective.
Four years after the NEA’s arrival, the agricultural program was becoming established and the team shifted their attention onto animal husbandry. In 2000, they began to develop a cattle herd to improve the breed of the area, supplement dietary needs and provide a source of secondary income. By 2001 the animal husbandry program expanded to include sheep and goats and their first corral was built. Much attention was placed on the animals and they continued to multiply. By the end of 2007, the brood herd of cattle had reached nearly 100.
2001
A very unique strategy was implemented by the NEA’s animal husbandry team. Ostriches were brought to the project sites as a further means to supplementing the cattle herd development. The ostriches would have less of an impact on the environment, require less maintenance and veterinarian care and would provide a good source of protein for the deficiencies that were still apparent in the local diet. Somewhat of an initial novelty the ostriches have adapted well and will continue to be a part of the animal husbandry program. The flock has continued to increase over the years and at the end of 2007, the incubators were operating full time. Initially, NEA hoped they would be able to provide ostriches for ‘out-growers’ in various communities. However, they found that the ostriches can be difficult to contain and that the average farmer would not be able to afford the safety fencing needed. They decided to continue to develop the flock with the view of establishing a meat processing plant when the numbers increase sufficiently.
In 2004-05, they introduced a similar but smaller bird, the emu, well known for its healthy meat and healing oil. They are more docile, easier to handle and it is envisaged that community farmers will be able to establish emu flocks as well, once the production rate is enough to supply them. The flock stands at 18. At the close of 2007 the produced their first eggs. Updates to follow when hatching takes place!
Grasscutters ?
A "grasscutters" would be the equivalent to a North American "woodchuck". Considered a delicacy of the Ghanaian diet, the NEA began breeding the "grasscutter" for local trade as well as supplementing the dietary needs of the community. In the past, hunters would hunt the animal by creating brush fires to force them out into the open where they could be targeted. To avoid the setting of bush fires which annually engulfs large tracts of northern land, diminishing soil fertility, destroying crops and trees, and occasionally entire villages, the NEA opted to introduce the breeding process to the north which has been successful in the south of the country. It is far more challenging to rear grasscutters in the north than expected, but we are pleased to report that in July 2007, the first litters were born.
New to the animal husbandry sector in 2007…
The Dagati tribe, many of whom have settled in the Deg area, is one of the Ghana tribes that eat pork. One of the serious environmental problems that NEA encountered results from the method of care that the local pigs receive. They are allowed to roam freely near the houses and wells. Owners are not prepared to pay for veterinary care so the animals are not vaccinated or dewormed. This presents serious health risks. In an effort to improve the quality of health in the area, they established a piggery in Carpenter. Using this as a model, local pig growers will be trained in acceptable care methods and will be able to see that well cared for pigs will yield them a better income. By the end of 2007 the original 6 pigs had already increased to 28!