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Vehicular Livestock Mobility in West Africa: Seasonal Traffic Flows of Cattle, Sheep, and Goats across Bamako

Author

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  • Louis Amprako

    (Organic Plant Production and Agroecosystems Research in the Tropics and Subtropics (OPATS), University of Kassel, Steinstrasse 19, D-37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

  • Hanna Karg

    (Organic Plant Production and Agroecosystems Research in the Tropics and Subtropics (OPATS), University of Kassel, Steinstrasse 19, D-37213 Witzenhausen, Germany
    Institute of Environmental Social Sciences and Geography, University of Freiburg, Physical Geography, Schreiberstraße 20, D-79085 Freiburg, Germany)

  • Regina Roessler

    (Animal Husbandry in the Tropics and Subtropics, University of Kassel, Steinstrasse 19, D-37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

  • Jennifer Provost

    (Animal Husbandry in the Tropics and Subtropics, University of Kassel, Steinstrasse 19, D-37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

  • Edmund Kyei Akoto-Danso

    (Organic Plant Production and Agroecosystems Research in the Tropics and Subtropics (OPATS), University of Kassel, Steinstrasse 19, D-37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

  • Seydou Sidibe

    (Institut d’Economie Rurale (IER), Bamako, Mali)

  • Andreas Buerkert

    (Organic Plant Production and Agroecosystems Research in the Tropics and Subtropics (OPATS), University of Kassel, Steinstrasse 19, D-37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

Abstract

Mali is a major livestock producing country in West Africa. However, in recent years, the sector has faced multiple challenges like farmer-herder conflicts, overuse of grazing and water resources, and the effects of climate change. Meanwhile, traditional livestock systems are becoming less important given the increased availability of vehicular transport for regional and international animal trade as well as new opportunities for more specialised urban and peri-urban production systems. To assess the role of Mali’s capital city Bamako for livestock consumption and trade, this study examined the scale of livestock movement in the city, comprising influxes, outfluxes, and transits. To this end, flows of cattle, small ruminants, and livestock feed were recorded through road surveys covering three different seasons. The results showed the role of Bamako as a major trade hub in the distribution of ruminants. While traffic of cattle and sheep was regional, movement of goats was smaller and more localised. Religious festivals were an important driver of livestock traffic, both in terms of the numbers of livestock and the distance covered. This study highlights the role of cities for livestock mobility and contributes to a better understanding of challenges related to urban livestock production and trade and its requirements for better livestock management.

Suggested Citation

  • Louis Amprako & Hanna Karg & Regina Roessler & Jennifer Provost & Edmund Kyei Akoto-Danso & Seydou Sidibe & Andreas Buerkert, 2020. "Vehicular Livestock Mobility in West Africa: Seasonal Traffic Flows of Cattle, Sheep, and Goats across Bamako," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2020:i:1:p:171-:d:468792
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Regina Roessler & Serge E. Mpouam & Tichaona Muchemwa & Eva Schlecht, 2016. "Emerging Development Pathways of Urban Livestock Production in Rapidly Growing West Africa Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-25, November.
    2. Jean-Claude Bizimana & Jay P. Angerer & David A. Bessler & Francis Keita, 2015. "Cattle Markets Integration and Price Discovery: The Case of Mali," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(3), pages 319-334, March.
    3. Takalani T. Nevondo & Petronella Chaminuka & Kenneth Nhundu & Frikkie Liebenberg, 2019. "Economic returns from investment in beef cattle improvement research in South Africa," Agrekon, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(1), pages 113-124, January.
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