INDIGENOUS METHODS USED BY AGRO-PASTORALISTS FOR CATTLE HEALTH MANAGEMENT IN RURAL AREAS OF OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Agro-pastoralists form the bulk of the producers of meat for Nigerians. Therefore, attention to this sector is essential to enhance food security. This study examined indigenous methods adopted by agro-pastoralists for cattle health management. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 107 Agro-pastoralists from the rural areas of Oyo State. Data collected were described with frequency counts, percentages and mean. Regression was used to test the hypothesis. Findings showed that 51.4% of the agro pastoralists were between the ages of 41- 50 years with the mean age of 42 years. The study further revealed that all the agro pastoralists were male and Muslims. Majority (93.0%) believed that hygiene was the best indigenous method for cattle health management. Also, use of herbs (87.0%), bush burning (48.0%), use of holy books and local concoctions (35.0%),use of incantations (28.6%) and herd sharing (89.7%) were indigenous methods practiced by the herdsmen. There exists significant relationship (at p<0.05) between indigenous methods adopted towards cattle health and age ( r = -0.192.) and household size ( r =-0.198). It was concluded that indigenous knowledge should be incorporated in the preventive and curative medicine to reduce incessant mortality rate of cattle. It therefore recommended that innovative programmes that will benefit the agro-pastoralists should be organized to broaden their knowledge of innovation acceptance. Keywords: Indigenous, Methods, Agro-pastoralists, Health, Management