Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
ECONOMIC PRODUCTION OF SMALL RUMINANTS
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
ECONOMIC PRODUCTION OF SMALL RUMINANTS
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Agricultural Science
Class: SHS 1
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 15
Grade code: 2.2.2.LI.2
Strand code: 2
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 2.2.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 2.2.2.LI.2
Theme: FARMING FOR JOBS AND INCOMES
Subtheme: ECONOMIC PRODUCTION OF SMALL RUMINANTS
This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.
For class groups and homework, share this lesson page so learners also get the summary, objectives, and full lesson context.
Small ruminants, like goats and sheep, are a common sight in our communities across Ghana. They are not just animals we see around; they represent a major source of income, food (especially for festivals like Eid al-Adha and Christmas), and cultural wealth. This lesson moves beyond just knowing about these animals. We will learn how to raise them as a serious business—a concept called "economic production." By understanding the right practices, you can turn a small flock of goats or sheep into a profitable venture, creating a job for yourself and contributing to Ghana's food security. This is farming for jobs and incomes in action.
A. What are Small Ruminants? Small ruminants are herbivorous, cud-chewing mammals with a four-chambered stomach. In Ghana, the most important small ruminants for economic production are goats and sheep.
Why Focus on Small Ruminants? High Prolificacy: They give birth to twins or triplets, meaning the flock can grow quickly. Short Gestation Period: Their pregnancy period is short (about 5 months), allowing for more births over time. Low Initial Investment: Starting a small ruminant farm requires less capital compared to cattle farming. Quick Returns on Investment: You can start selling animals for meat within a year. Adaptability: Local breeds are very hardy and can thrive on local vegetation. B. Common Breeds in Ghana West African Dwarf (WAD) Goat: Description: Small, compact body. Comes in various colours (black, brown, white, or mixed). Key Trait: Very hardy and resistant to a disease called Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), which is common in the forest and transitional zones of Ghana. They are very prolific. Best For: Meat production in Southern and Middle Belt of Ghana. Djallonké Sheep (or West African Dwarf Sheep): Description: Small-sized sheep, hairy rather than woolly, with a thin tail. Rams have horns that spiral outwards. Key Trait: Also very hardy and resistant to Trypanosomiasis. They are well-adapted to the humid conditions of the forest zones. Best For: Meat production, especially in the southern half of Ghana. Sahelian Goats/Sheep (or "Northern Breeds"): Description: Larger, long-legged animals compared to the WAD breeds. Key Trait: Well-adapted to the hot, dry conditions of Northern Ghana. They grow bigger and faster than the dwarf breeds but are more susceptible to diseases in the humid south. Best For: Meat production in the Savannah regions (Northern, Upper East, Upper West). C. Production Systems: Focusing on the Semi-Intensive System
The NaCCA exemplar encourages a project on the semi-intensive system, which is the most practical and profitable for most start-ups. Extensive System: Animals roam freely (free-range) to browse and graze with little or no supplementary feed or housing. It's cheap but has high risks of theft, accidents, and disease. Intensive System: Animals are confined permanently in a house (zero-grazing) and all their feed and water are brought to them. It offers high control and security but is very expensive and labour-intensive. Semi-Intensive System (The Recommended Model): This is a blend of the two systems. Animals are housed at night and during bad weather in a simple shed or pen. During the day, they are allowed to graze or browse in a fenced paddock or are tethered. They receive supplementary feed (like maize bran), clean water, and minerals. Benefit: This system balances cost, security, and animal welfare. It allows for better health management and controlled breeding, leading to higher economic returns. D. Setting Up Your Semi-Intensive Farm (The Project Steps) Site Selection: Choose a site that is: Well-drained: Avoid waterlogged areas to prevent foot rot and diseases. Accessible: Easy to get to for feeding and observation. Secure: Safe from thieves and predators. Has access to forage: Close to a source of grass or browse plants. Housing Construction: The house protects animals from rain, harsh sun, and theft. Materials: Use locally available materials like wood, bamboo, and thatch or zinc for roofing. Design Features: Raised Floor: A slatted wooden floor raised about 1-1.5 meters off the ground is excellent. This allows droppings to fall through, keeping the animals clean and reducing disease. Good Ventilation: The sides should be partially open to allow free flow of air. Partitions: Create separate pens for the buck (male goat), does (females), and kids (young ones). Feed and Water Troughs: These should be provided inside the house. Selection of Foundation Stock: Start with good quality animals. When buying a doe (female goat) or ewe (female sheep) for breeding, look for: Good Health: Bright eyes, smooth coat, no signs of diarrhoea or coughing. Good Conformation: Strong legs, wide chest, and a well-formed body. Proven History: If possible, choose one that has successfully given birth to twins before. Age: It's best to start with young, mature animals (around 8-12 months old). E. Key Management Practices for Profitability Feeding and Nutrition: This is the biggest operational cost. Forages: The foundation of their diet. This includes grasses (*Panicum maximum* - Guinea grass), legumes (*Centrosema*, *Leucaena*), and leaves of browse plants (cassava leaves, mango leaves). Concentrates: These are supplementary feeds to provide extra energy and protein. Local examples include: Maize bran Wheat bran Palm kernel cake Brewers' spent grain (Pito mash) Soybean meal Mineral Supplement: Provide a salt lick (mineral block) to supply essential minerals like sodium and calcium. Water: Provide clean, fresh water at all times. Water is crucial for all body functions. Health Management: "Prevention is better than cure." Hygiene: Keep the pen clean and dry. Regularly remove manure from under the shed. Vaccination: Vaccinate against major diseases. The most critical is PPR (Peste des Petits Ruminants), which is highly contagious and deadly. Consult a local veterinary officer for a vaccination schedule. Deworming: Internal parasites (worms) are a major problem. Deworm your animals every 3-4 months. External Parasite Control: Check for ticks, lice, and mites which cause skin diseases like mange. Treat by dipping or spraying with appropriate acaricides. Record Keeping: You cannot manage what you do not measure. A simple exercise book can be your record book. Why Keep Records? To track costs, monitor animal growth, identify productive vs. unproductive animals, and calculate profit. What to Record? Production Records: Date of birth, sex, birth weight, parentage. Health Records: Dates of vaccination, deworming, any sickness and treatment given. Financial Records: All money spent (feed, medicine, housing) and all money earned (sale of animals). Example of a Financial Record Table: | Date | Item Description | Type (Income/Expense) | Amount (GHS) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 10/05/24 | Purchase 4 Does, 1 Buck | Expense | 1,500.00 | | 12/05/24 | Wood for pen construction| Expense | 300.00 | | 15/05/24 | Bag of Maize Bran | Expense | 80.00 | | 10/12/24 | Sale of 2 young males | Income | 700.00 |
Guided Practice (With Solutions)