Abstract

Against a background of disconnect between high demand for small ruminants and limited market integration of small ruminants in the interior savannah agro-ecological zone of Ghana, the objective of this study was to assess the effects of differential access to dry season water on small ruminant production and market integration in the Nadowli District of Ghana. The study obtained data from 389 small ruminant households in the Nadwoli District. The data were analyzed using chi-square test, t-test and logistic regression. The results of the study indicate that 67% of small ruminant keepers in high dry season water access communities adopted all animal husbandry practices compared to 33% of small ruminant keepers in low dry season water access communities. The findings also show that small ruminant market integration was relatively higher for both sheep (48%) and goats (35%) in high dry season water access communities compared to 12 and 9% for sheep and goats, respectively, in low dry season water access communities. Veterinary service access, water access, shelter and free grazing show statistically significant predicting factors of small ruminant market integration. The adoption of good husbandry practices and the resultant high market integration suggests that when communities have access to dry season water, they tend to do better in taking advantage of market opportunities to reduce poverty and enhance food security.

Key words: Adoption, husbandry practices, institutions, sheep, goats.