Goats and sheep ("small ruminants") are an important livestock component in all ecological zones (arid, semi-arid, subhumid, humid, highland) and all types of agricultural systems (smallholder mixed farming, agro-pastoral, pastoral, urban, commercial ranching) in tropical Africa. Small ruminants are complementary to cattle and camels in their production cycles and generally do not compete directly with them for feed. Goats and sheep are owned by more production units in African farming systems than any other species of domestic livestock except poultry. Because of their lower feed requirements, their rapid reproduction cycles and the ease with which they can be handled, they are particularly important for resource-poor households and are often the property of underprivileged groups, such as women and children, within those households. Small ruminant research and development has been neglected in the past.

 

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