Assessment of Constraints to Sheep and Goat Production in North East Nigeria: Evidence from Yobe State

This study documents the major constraints to sheep and goat production in Yobe State, North East Nigeria, and assesses their relative severity from the perspective of smallholder farmers. Sheep and goat production is a critical livelihood activity for rural households in Yobe State, providing food security, savings, and income. However, multiple biological, economic, and institutional constraints limit production efficiency and household benefit from these enterprises. This study uses a participatory constraint assessment methodology, conducting focus group discussions with 15 farmer groups in Damaturu, Potiskum, and Nguru local government areas, supplemented by a structured survey of 180 individual sheep and goat producers. Constraints are identified through participatory ranking exercises and validated through key informant interviews with veterinary extension officers. Impact severity scores are computed from farmer rankings. Findings reveal that recurrent droughts and degraded rangeland quality are identified as the most severe constraints, affecting feed availability for 88 percent of sampled producers. Ectoparasite and endoparasite infestation ranks second, with average faecal egg counts indicating severe burdens in 62 percent of surveyed flocks. Poor access to veterinary services and drugs ranks third. Market price volatility, lack of credit, and predator attacks are additional significant constraints. The conflict-related disruption of traditional trade routes significantly affects market access for 44 percent of producers. The study concludes that feed security and health service access are the priority intervention areas for Yobe State small ruminant development. It recommends mobile veterinary units and community feed reserve schemes.

Keywords: sheep and goat constraints, Yobe State, North East Nigeria, small ruminant production, rangeland degradation.