When animal housing does not meet technical standards, especially biosecurity standards, this leads to high livestock mortality and low animal growth. Housing is therefore the primary factor in successful livestock farming.
In our rural areas, the construction of adequate sheepfolds and chicken coops is struggling to become common practice among farmers, whose activities are limited to family production.
Based on these findings and in view of the difficulties encountered by livestock farmers in rural areas, the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP - TOGO) provides support for the construction of infrastructure (BTA/PTA) suitable for animals and support for breeding stock of poultry and small ruminants to livestock farmers in order to improve the level of production of livestock units.
Unlike open-air livestock farming systems, this is an improved traditional system where animals (local chickens and small ruminants) are raised in better-designed habitats built with local materials and adapted to climatic conditions. Traditional improved sheepfolds (BTA) and traditional improved chicken coops (PTA) are the result of endogenous know-how and technical innovations that reduce the risk of disease and predation in livestock farms.
These structures, built with shared costs by the FSRP with a contribution from the beneficiary, combine respect for the environment, animal welfare and economic efficiency, while taking into account the sustainability of the livestock unit.
To date, 400 livestock farming households have been supported through the construction of 176 improved traditional sheep pens (BTA) and 224 improved traditional chicken coops (PTA) in the Savanes region, with a gradual expansion underway to the Kara and Centrale regions, gradually consolidating a more resilient and sustainable livestock farming model.
Additional support in the form of breeding stock. In addition to sheepfolds and chicken coops, breeding stock for poultry and small ruminants are provided to livestock farmers to improve animal performance. A total of 315 breeding stock of guinea fowl have been acquired for 45 guinea fowl farmers in the Savanes region. 179 farmers in the same region received 215 roosters and 1,075 hens. 484 sheep and 220 goats were also purchased for 121 sheep farmers and 55 goat farmers to optimise the animals' growth, fertility and disease resistance.
True success stories: beneficiaries have their say
My name is DINDIOGUE Yalkbir , and I live in the canton of Bonbouaka.
Some time ago, I was fortunate enough to receive support from the FSRP. They gave me four goats (three males and one female) and helped me build my sheepfold in exchange for a small contribution to help with water, sand and construction work.
At the time, I only had three goats of my own. But thanks to the animals I received from the FSRP, my herd is gradually growing: I now have twelve (12) goats, some of which were born to the FSRP goats. In the past, I kept my animals in the family home. But with the support of the project, I now have my own building dedicated to livestock farming. With the support of ICAT agents, I am also able to manage my business better.
Thanks to this, I have been able to sell a few animals to restart my business, pay off my debts and also support my husband a little. This project has really helped me.
"In Tabinmong, poultry farming has changed my life"
I am a poultry farmer and seller in Tabinmong, in the savannah region.
Thanks to the FSRP, I was able to build a modern, well-equipped chicken coop. The FSRP provided me with everything I needed to get started: breeding hens, a rooster, waterers, feeders, and the chicken coop itself, which I helped to build including sand, water and cement for the manufacture of breeze blocks for the construction of the building. It's an experience I remember fondly, because it marked a real turning point in my business.
Before that, I was working with the means at my disposal, with no real shelter for the poultry. During the rainy season, water seeped in everywhere, making farming very difficult. Thanks to the FSRP's support, I was able to restart my business and produce up to 300 birds, most of which were sold. At the moment, I am raising more than 100 adult birds and around 150 chicks. Today, I can honestly say that my life has improved significantly. I have been able to start building my house, buy fertiliser for my field and, above all, provide for my family. I really live better than before! he concluded.
