Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Abstract

A Gender Perspective of Cavy Farmers’ Livelihood Analysis for the Western Highlands of Cameroon

Fon Dorothy E, Meutchieye Felix, Niba AT, Manjeli Y, Djikeng A

The growing population pressure on the land and fragmentation of holdings has implications for few rural household subsisting without any form of farm income. A gender perspective of cavy farmers’ livelihood analysis was conducted in the western highlands of Cameroon in order to know who the cavy farmers are, where they kept the cavies and production difficulties. A pretested structured questionnaire was administered to 250 cavy farmers and data was analysed using SPSS. Results showed that 54% of the farmers are females and 27% of them could neither read nor write. Most cavy farmers entered the business within the last five years and are Christians of protestant or catholic denominations with a monthly income of less than 50,000 FCFA (≈ 100 USD). Indigenous cavy breeds mostly bought from neighbouring markets or farms, feed with forage stocks and kitchen waste, were kept for cash income, consumption or manure, in the house; running freely (24.35%) or in a special area of the kitchen (26.96%) and later sold to meet planned needs or emergencies. Cavies which tended to be kept alone are not provided with drinking water. Major difficulties encountered by farmers include the unavailability of quality concentrate feeds, prevalence of pests and diseases, lack of technical knowledge and financial assistance. Training and funding is greatly needed to boast cavy production in the western highlands of Cameroon.

Published Date: 2014-10-02;