ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Sheep production plays a crucial role in the economy of Lesotho by increasing economic state of the rural poor. However, gastrointestinal parasites infection is the most limiting factor in sheep productivity and has a highly detrimental effect on the sheep industry. Therefore this study aimed to evaluate farmers' awareness and understanding of controlling gastrointestinal parasites of merino sheep in four Lesotho agro-ecological zones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected using a simple random sampling of 106 farmers in the lowlands, foothills, mountains, and Senqu river valley. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 20.00). Descriptive statistics were employed with cross-tabulations and tested with Chi-square and post hoc tests. RESULTS: The majority of farmers (80%) were aware of the gastrointestinal parasites. Most farmers (70%) reported a high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and associated it with lamb mortality in summer and autumn. Farmers use anthelmintics for treating gastrointestinal parasites in animals, and 93% of them reported the effectiveness of the drugs. However, more than 80% of farmers routinely use anthelmintics. The results revealed that 81.5%, 66.7%, 80%, and 66.7% of farmers from the lowlands, foothills, mountains, and Senqu river valley, respectively, keep sheep in non-roofed enclosures cleaned only after rains to avoid mud. Communal grazing is used as the main source of animal feeding where different livestock species share the same rangelands. Most farmers (more than 70%) believed that grazing lands were the main source of gastrointestinal parasites transmission. CONCLUSION: Farmers in Lesotho are aware of gastrointestinal parasites and apply control methods to combat the gastrointestinal parasites in merino sheep. However, a need still exists for them to be empowered with skills for improving management systems and the knowledge on how the gastrointestinal parasites behave at different times of the year and in different agro-ecological zones. This will assist them in adhering to the dosing schedule designed by animal health experts.
ABSTRACT
Smallholder Angora goat farming is widespread throughout Lesotho, resulting in the country being ranked second in global mohair production. The Lesotho landscape across which Angora goats are produced is divided into lowlands, foothills, mountains, and the Senqu river valley agro-ecological zones (AEZs). Husbandry practices, including those related to the control of gastrointestinal parasites (GIPs), are assumed to be influenced by the AEZ-determined farmers' lifestyles. This study assessed how the AEZ of the Angora goat farming communities influences farmers' demographic and socio-economic profiles, GIP knowledge, and goat management practices. Interviews were conducted with farmers from Maseru and Quthing districts selected from four areas that represent the AEZs. Our findings indicate that middle-aged males dominate goat farming in all AEZs. Also, most farmers only reached primary education, hence rely on experience for goat production. Familiarity with parasites differed among farmers from different AEZs although most viewed the GIP impact on goat health as high. Many farmers from all AEZs except the lowlands believed that diarrhoea, a common GIP symptom, is associated with their goat mortality. GIP control measures used include anthelmintics and traditional herbal medicines with differing frequency of administration. More than 80% of farmers reported offering supplemental feeds although other recommended goat management practices like shelter and sanitation were not commonly observed. All farmers reported reliance on communal grazing and many considered rangelands as sources of GIP infections. It is concluded that most husbandry practices are common across AEZs and that many of these are inadequate in controlling GIPs.
