MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND CONSTRAINTS OF SHEEP FARMERS IN SOKOTO STATE, NORTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract: A study was conducted in Sokoto, northwestern part of Nigeria to assess the sheep production system and the major constraints faced by farmers in the management of their sheep flocks. The survey was done in some selected districts/wards. Majority of the farmers sourced their stock from the open market and none indicated to have sourced from institutional farms where modern breeding techniques are employed. Flock size ranged from 5 – 50 animals (mean flock size was 12.8). Fifty eight percent of the farmers rear purely uda breed and more breeding ewes were kept than males. Sheep are kept for generating family income, for use during religious/traditional rites, meat and milk in that order. Farmers had preference for keeping particular breed of sheep for varied reasons which included multiple births, adaptation to environment, good temperament, good mothering ability and lactation. Major drawbacks identified as hampering the productivity of the sheep production in the area were high cost of feeds, seasonality of feeds, inadequate extension services, disease and vaccination problems and the high cost of veterinary care