Sheep Farming Practices and Constraints in Ouaddaï Province, Eastern Chad

A study was conducted to examine production practices and identify constraints in sheep farming in the Ouaddaï province of eastern Chad. This study, carried out between October and December 2023, surveyed 380 farmers across four departments of the Ouaddaï province using semi-structured questionnaires, interviews, and direct observation. The results show that the farmers interviewed in the study area are predominantly from Maba (42.10%), and the majority are male (76.05%) and married (57.89%). Most have a primary school education (75.79%). The average age of the respondents was 39 ± 19 years, ranging from 15 to 65 years. Nearly half of the farmers acquired their livestock through purchase (48%) or inheritance (32%). The main objectives of sheep farming in the province are selling livestock (58%) and self-consumption (20%). Sheep are raised using an extensive, free-range system (86.31%) in areas with poor-quality pastures. Most farmers supplement the animals' basic feed (76%). According to our respondents, the main constraints to sheep farming in the area are the lack of water points (55%), pasture (30%), and disease and theft (10%). To improve sheep farming in the Ouaddaï province, it is essential to train farmers and address the main constraints that limit its development in order to boost their zootechnical and reproductive performance.