TOWARDS MORE INNOVATIVE WAYS OF KEEPING AND MARKETING SMALL RUMINANTS AMONG SMALL HOLDER FARMERS IN KUSAWGU IN THE CENTRAL GONJA DISTRICT, GHANA

Abstract

As national demand for sheep and goat product is increasing; the potential of Ghana in terms of small ruminant sector development is not making a satisfactory contribution due to management related problems on the part of both government and individuals engaged in this field. A case study design was employed to uncover the meaning that people assign to their experiences in small ruminant production and marketing in Kusawgu community. Since most of the small-ruminant production is undertaken by smallholder producers with less or no business mindset in the community, this project proposes innovative policy and practices that promote entrepreneurship in small ruminant management. Such innovation focuses on techniques for supporting new priority groups, and the pursuit of alternative marking strategies that seek to bring diverse stakeholders along the value chain together. If the aim of a development project is to raise the living standard of the community, it is much more likely to do so if it concentrates on these two key elements: (1) community small ruminant entrepreneurship and training and (2) a financial capital to support evolving small ruminant activity in communities.