Abstract:
A questionnaire of 15 questions was completed by four categories of respondents with the aim
of establishing the experience and opinions of these groups on the constraints including animal
health problems for communal, small-scale sheep and goat farming in the Eastern Cape province
of South Africa. The questionnaires were completed independently and categories were
representative of the areas investigated. Analysis of responses was done by means, ranges, votes
and clusters of responses. Comparisons between the responses of the four categories were made
to identify similarities or contrasts. The results revealed that of non-veterinary concerns, stock
theft was the major problem for these farms. Nutrition was a further major constraint. A third
area of significant concern was the provision or availability of facilities like fences, water troughs,
dips and sheds. Lack of marketing and business skills were also seen as important deficiencies
to be rectified so as to promote profitable farming. Of the most important veterinary problems
identified, the provision, availability, cost and care of drugs and vaccines were seen as major
stumbling blocks to effective disease control, as well as lack of access to veterinary services. The
most important diseases that constrain small-ruminant livestock farming in the farming systems
investigated were sheep scab and other ectoparasites, heart water, enterotoxaemia, internal
parasites and bluetongue. A lack of knowledge in key areas of small-stock farming was revealed
and should be rectified by an effective training and support programme to improve the
contribution of small-ruminant farming to livelihoods in these communities.
