Livestock in the Western Region of Nigeria

Abstract

Cattle sheep and goats are all dwarf type and indigenous to western region of Nigeria. The four breeds of cattle found in the region are the west African Dwarf shorthorn or Muturu, which are a natural type dwarf and are highly trypanotolerant; the N’Dama, which are imported from French Guinea, Congo and Sierra Leone and they are light bonned, Thrifty and highly trypanotolerant; the keteku, which are crosses between the zebu type of the northern region and Muturu of the coast; and white Fulani breeds kept by herdsmen. Most of the pigs found in the region are on government forms and their origin is unknown. The demand for pork is not great partly because of the unfavorable beef-pork price ratio but primarily because of the large Moslem population. The majority of goats found in the Region are all hair type, trypanotolerant and are used as food on ceremonial occasions.