An assessment of implications of seasonal variations of moisture and heat budget components on livestock production and farmer's adaptive capacities in Ndu Subdivision, Northwest Region, Cameroon.

Abstract

Purpose: The study sought to analyse and establish the pattern and magnitude of the inter-annual seasonal variations of key climatic elements (relative humidity rainfall totals and temperature) in Ndu Sub-Division, how the trends are affecting livestock production and the coping strategies adopted by the local livestock farmers.

Methodology: Direct filed observation, farmer's perception survey and statistical analyses were used to generate both primary and secondary data for processing. Climatic data were analysed through the empirical absolute seasonality index to establish seasonality, the regression line analysis used to establish inter-annual fluctuation and trends in climatic elements and key livestock numbers (cattle, goats and sheep), the coefficient of variations (CV%) to establish the degree of inter-annual fluctuation of study variables, the spearman rank correlation coefficient (rs) and coefficient of determination (r²) to establish the degree of association between climate and livestock production. A percentile analysis of responses from 200 questionnaires, complemented by interviews and focus group discussions was used to assess the adaptation responses of the farmers.

Findings: Key results are that there is a higher degree of seasonality of the climatic elements (intra-annual variations). CV% values indicate more variation for the RH and rainfall totals than the elements of temperature. The seasonality of climate has been intensifying over the years with the dry seasons becoming hotter and drier, while the rainy season more humid and hotter. A total of 99.2% of the respondents indicated awareness of the intensifying seasonality of climate and its negative effects on livestock production and livestock farmers as degraded pastures and water sources, reducing livestock numbers and the appearance of new livestock diseases, drops in livestock prices and farmers' incomes, loss of organic manure, rise in farmers-grazers conflicts. The livestock farmers have adopted indigenous coping strategies to the intensifying seasonality, as transhumance, animal vaccination, the alliance farming system and paddocking. Rapid population growth, uncontrolled arable farming, ferocious farmer-grazier conflicts, limited rangelands, limited knowledge and government negligence stood are key hindrances to these indigenous adaptation measures.

Recommendation: The government livestock department (MINEPIA) should reinforce these indigenous coping strategies with conventional production techniques and facilities and organise regular training workshops for livestock farmers.