(b) Problems of cattle rearing in Nigeria
— climate – scanty rainfall
— pest affecting animals e.g. tsetse flies, ticks etc.
— diseases
(C) affecting animals e.g. Trypanosomiasis, render pest, foot and mouth diseases etc.
— poor management techniques
— paucity of modern ranches/inadequate pasture/overgrazing
— inadequate transportation to convey cattle to consuming areas inadequate storage facilities for meat and dairy products
— inadequate capital to finance large scale cattle ranches
— inadequate veterinary services
— cultural influences
— cattle rustling/stealing classes with farmers.
Solutions to the problems
— to solve the problem of drought. irrigation should be adopted. Irrigation schemes like river basins are now found everywhere. Drought resistant crops are also being planted to serve as fodder for the animals.
— vaccines are being used to improve the health of the animal
—cross breading of animals for resistance to diseases
— construction of feeder roads linking rural areas to urban areas to solve the problem of transportation.
— various financial institutions are being established to solve the problem of finance.
— education and extension services to improve management techniques.
— cold storage facilities are being provided e.g. refrigerated vehicles, trains and cold stores.
— mobile veterinary clinics are being established