Role of cattle fattening in urban poverty reduction and livelihood improvement in Africa: Evidence from a Ghanaian city

Although interest in livestock production in and around West African cities has gained traction in recent years, the contribution of this widespread practice to poverty reduction has not been adequately researched. This study, therefore, responds to the limited literature on how cattle fattening in African cities contributes to poverty reduction, using empirical evidence from Wa in Ghana. A concurrent mixed-methods design was adopted, involving the use of questionnaires and key informant interview guides for data collection. Data obtained from 110 cattle holders and four purposively selected key informants were analysed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and thematic analysis. The findings show that urban cattle fattening in urban areas generates employment, increases household income, and facilitates the accumulation of productive assets. However, high feeding costs, lack of vaccination services, neighbour complaints, theft, and housing constraints limit its full potential. The study recommends investment in veterinary services, affordable feeding options, community engagement mechanisms, and training and extension services to enhance productivity. Furthermore, urban livestock policies should recognize cattle fattening as a viable pathway for livelihood improvement and poverty alleviation.