Factors influencing milk production in Cankuzo Province, Burundi

Abstract

Burundi is a country with ancient pastoral farming tradition where animal husbandry particularly of cattle, has always played an important role in the economy. The objective of this study was to find out how milk production was influenced by certain factors like: reduction in reproduction performance, constraint of climate, feeding methods, sanitation and hygiene, system of rearing where extensive rearing dominates most and hygiene in housing, poor storage facilities, lack of enough credit facilities and lack of appropriate training for farmers, frequent diseases, lack of adequate processing facilities, poor record keeping. It was found that cattle farmers had a large numbers of cattle, mostly local breeds with low production genetic potential like low milk yield. It was found that in cattle there was low heat detection, conception rate, low fertility, low fecundity rate, prompt of servicing after calving and rate of conception at first artificial insemination. Lactation period was well not understood by the farmers. Artificial insemination was not done in Cankuzo Province because of lack of inseminators. Grazing traditionally done, even with exotic breeds. There was lack of enough clean water. Supplementary feeding was not being done.