CONSTRAINTS AND PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL RUMINANT FARMING IN THE URBAN COMMUNE OF MAMOU, REPUBLIC OF GUINEA

The objective of this study was to characterize small ruminant production in the Urban Commune of Mamou, identify its principal constraints, and define practical development options. Methods: A prospective field study was conducted from 15 September 2024 to 25 January 2025. Administrative records were reviewed, local livestock officers were consulted, and a structured questionnaire was administered to 160 farm heads in seven urban districts. The surveyed farms kept 2159 small ruminants (2062 goats and 97 sheep). Data were summarized as counts, proportions, and descriptive statistics in Microsoft Excel 2016. Results: Men represented 68.00% of respondents, 48.75% were 50-80 years old, and 73.75% had Quranic education. Goats predominated, and 90.62% of farms kept goats only. Major reported constraints were predation (96.87%), disease (96.25%), environmental and spatial pressure (93.75%), poor housing hygiene (93.12%), seasonal feed shortages (53.12%), and livestock theft (33.12%). Natural pasture was used by all farms, whereas only 1.00% used concentrate supplementation. Small ruminant farming has substantial socioeconomic potential in Mamou, but productivity is limited by preventable health, feeding, housing, and security problems. Farmer organizations, planned prophylaxis, dry-season forage production, secure housing, and stronger veterinary extension are priority interventions.