86400 Livestock Data Innovation in Africa BRIEF Joint brief of the World Bank, FAO, ILRI, AU-IBAR with support from the Gates Foundation Issue 7 • July 2012 Livestock in Niger: an important asset for growth and poverty reduction In 2011, the National Institute of Statistics in Niger Households in pastoral zones have significantly (INS) conducted a survey on living standards and more sheep compared to households in agro- agriculture (LSMS) with 4000 households. This pastoral zones (6.8 compared to 5). They own survey, which deals with all the aspects related to significantly more goats (8 compared to 5.7 in living standards, is unprecedented in Niger. An agro-pastoral zones). They own significantly more important section is devoted to agriculture and camels (4.8 compared to 1.8 in agricultural and livestock production, which until now were largely agro-pastoral zones). ignored by household surveys, despite the fact The number of poultry owned by households in the that they represent the main means of subsistence different agro-climatic zones is similar (numbers for households in Niger. vary from 10.1 to 11.6). Most households, particularly the Although more poor households have livestock, the poorest, have livestock poorest 20 % of households own fewer animals than the richest 20 % of households: 2.4 TLU per In rural areas, 4 out of 5 households own or keep household compared to 3.4 TLU. These figures animals. Most households own few animals, on mask a greater disparity that exists between the average 2.8 tropical livestock units (TLU). On a owners of large and small herds. The richest 20 % national scale, in terms of numbers, herds are of households actually own 63% of the total predominantly made up of cattle (55 % of the TLU) number of animals, compared to the less well-off and small ruminants (sheep and goats represent 33 households, which barely own 2 %. % of the TLU). On a household scale, on average, there are more small ruminants in the herds (62 % of TLU compared to 27 % for cattle). Livestock provide income and Data from the LSMS provide not just national numerous services for households averages, they also make it possible to identify the differences between regions and households. Households usually own or keep animals to generate income. Livestock generate about 10 % of the income for rural households and up to 43 % of household income in pastoral zones. There are many sources of livestock-related income. Rural households with livestock sell a relatively large proportion of their animals throughout the year: on average 11 % of cattle and 20 % of small ruminants. Over half of these households produce hides and skins, some 30 % produce milk and 18 % produce eggs. In agricultural and agro-pastoral zones, households have much the same number of animals (2.6 and 2.9 TLU). The average number per household is the highest in pastoral zones, with about 4.2 TLU. Why do households keep livestock? In fact, in most cases, a man generally owns the animals and controls the income that they Other services generate. Analyses have shown that shared (transport agriculture, ownership and management of animals is very rare etc.) 15% (less than 10 % of all cases) in comparison to cases To compensate where either men or women exclusively own and for lower agricultural manage livestock. incomes 8% Home consumption Nonetheless, the distribution of ownership and Income (meat, milk, generation control of income is more balanced in the case of etc.) 69% 8% small ruminants and poultry than for cattle. Female-headed households are also less well off Livestock also provide a diverse range of other than male-headed households: 1.3 TLU compared services, such as manure for fertilizing agricultural to 2.9 TLU per household. land and draught power for transport and tillage. The Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of These services can be used directly by the Livestock conduct the LSMS with technical and households with livestock or they can be offered financial support from the World Bank via the to other households in exchange for payment. LSMS-ISA project. The LSMS data is accessible to Lastly, livestock compensate for lower agricultural the public and provides a reliable source of incomes. They provide animal protein for direct national data for analysts and researchers household consumption. interested in investigating these and other issues. The INS will conduct the next round of LSMS in 2014. Women are disadvantaged compared to men For further information please visit: www.africalivestockdata.org Women are disadvantaged in comparison to men Or contact: when it comes to owning and managing resources Alberto Zezza, World Bank linked to livestock, as is the case in many other azezza@worldbank.org domains. The LSMS includes specific information on gender. Consequently, the roles of gender in Atté Issa livestock management can be examined in much Niger Ministry of Livestock greater detail than was the case in previous attez1@yahoo.fr national household surveys. The gender of the main members of livestock owning households 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% Female 40% Male 30% 20% 10% 0% Large Small Poultry Ruminants ruminants