II.2.2. Livestock systems.
Traditional and modern livestock systems are found in Rwanda.
We may distinguish different types according to techniques and socio-economic.
These types are: traditional, improved and modern type.
II.2.2.1. Traditional system
Traditional livestock system is a system in which a farmer
does agriculture and keeps the cattle in the same time. Animal can be used to
produce milk and meat and also manure. Local cattle Ankole is the dominant
animal in these systems and are very well adapted to local conditions. The milk
production remains, however poor due to poor quality feed. Traditional
livestock were relying on natural pasture and in some cases cattle could make
long distance for grazing. The manure produced by cattle is the main source of
fertilizer. That system is the most predominant system and farmer does not use
concentrate feeds, resulting in poor performance of the cattle in terms of milk
and manure production (Mubashankwaya, 2005).
II.2.2.2. Improved system
In this system, the farmer has few dairy animals which produce
many quantity of milk. It is generally a system of urban and peri-urban. The
farmer cuts the grass around and transports them to the cattle and used a few
quantities of feed supplements. The production of milk is proportional to the
genetic potential of the cattle and environment conditions. It is generally
assisted or supported by a development project that supplies medical care and
provide concentrated feeds (ISAR, 1990). In most cases, animals are
artificially inseminated with the objective of improving the performance of the
following offspring (MINAGRI, 1997).
II.2.2.3 Modern system
Modern breeding is that uses improved animals which apply
appropriate techniques of feeding with strict sanitation safe. Performance
parameters of production are considered as important. Modern farmers are so few
in Rwanda because of high cost investments of materials, infrastructures, and
labor. To ensure sufficient production and cover the need of production, it is
necessary to develop that type of breeding when increasing productivity of
cattle is the objective (ISAR, 1990).
In Rwanda we have also small ruminants. Sheep and goats are
essential components of pastoralists' herds, poultry, pigs and rabbits. Their
main functions are: providing meat, manure, and in addition eggs in the case of
poultry and skins in the case of rabbits (Gichuru et al., 2004).
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