TRENDS IN LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA (SSA). (APRIL, 1994)
Ing. Mesfin GEDLU, MVDr. František Vohradský, CSc.
Introduction
Animal production is a biologically efficient process
capable of converting large quantities of otherwise inedible roughage to meat,
milk and eggs. During 1988-1990 livestock products: meat, milk and eggs, accounted
for 15% of the calories and 35% of proteins of per capita food supply in the
world. The corresponding values for the developed, developing countries and
Africa were as follows: 29% and 57%, 10% and 22%, 6% and 19%. Meat, milk and
eggs, the major livestock products provide the human body with proteins, food
substances essential for growth and repair and constituting a large part of
the protoplasm. Proteins are also an important source of energy and the body
can not manufacture them from fats or carbohydrates. Their absence causes under-nourishment
and disease vulnerability. With rising per capita incomes and better food improvement
government policies in the poor countries of the world the demand for livestock
products will rise faster. The annual growth rate of total meat and milk consumption
increased by over 40% and 55% during the periods from 1961/1974 to 1975/1987
in SSA (ILCA).
In many parts of the developing world livestock have a variety of uses other
than being a supply of readily available nutritious food. Livestock are a major
source of income and employment at local and national levels and means of capital
accumulation. They are important draft power and means of transportation on
which depends large portion of agricultural activities. Furthermore, they provide
fuel and building material as well as manure to fertilize the soil. In SSA where
large areas of land are covered with natural grassland livestock are the only
means of utilizing the environment to produce products suiting human needs.
Another important feature of livestock is the religious and cultural role they
play in many pastoral societies of SSA.
All these points make legitimate the periodical analysis and data elaboration
of production and consumption of livestock products on a world or regional basis
despite the incomplete and sometimes incomplete and unreliable information available,
especially from the developing countries.
Key words:
eggs, livestock numbers, meat, milk, sub-Saharan Africa
(SSA)