NUMERICAL PRODUCTIVITY, STRUCTURE AND EXPLOITATION OF NDAMA CATTLE IN THE KOLDA REGION OF SENEGAL.

Animal breeding is a major activity in the rural economy of the Kolda region. However, it is subject to many constraints such as climatic hazards, seasonal variations, grazing pressure and mortality caused by diseases, in spite of the relative abundance of pastures in this area and the adaptation to the environment of the livestock mainly composed of NDama cattle. These constraints influence greatly the productivity of the livestock. This study aims to document the demographic parameters, the structure of the population and estimate the productivity of the cattle population in the region of Kolda (High Casamance). It is based on retrospectives investigations, the structure of the population and the demographic events related to this population. The survey was conducted from November 20, 2016 to December 15, 2016. A total of 47 farms were visited and 2688 animals were registered. The results revealed a low productivity due to the late age of the first calving, the long inter-calving periods, which leads to very low growth rates. The exploitation rates more or less moderate allow the sustainability of the livestock. Improving the productivity of cattle herds in the Kolda region requires improving farm management through adequate health monitoring, meticulously controlled breeding and the provision of high-quality food able to increase zootechnical performances.