Watching Fulani herdsmen toil day in day out in the fields, You wonder what there is in cattle rearing that some people spend 80% of their lifetime in the bush. They thrive night and day to see that calves are raised to cows. The answer to this curiosity is found in the butcher places, and most of all in the foods we eat. Man as a meat eating creature has sought to satisfy this need in so many ways. One of them is through cattle rearing.As the world's population keeps growing, many more are being born with the sense of eating meat, maximizing the need for meat. It doesn't stop at this. Human body does not need meat alone to develop, it also needs milk. Therefore 80% of the milk we consume comes from cows. Now you can see that these needs are worth the efforts that the Fulani's exert.
In Nigeria, cattle rearing is considered a career for the Fulanis, and it is. This is because it is their hereditary means of livelihood, and their joy lies in making it last, going from one village to the other looking for pastures for their herds.
They have had settlements in places where the savannah is really green. The objective is to raise healthy giant cows to sell. However, not only adult cows are sold, calves are also sold to individuals who are interested in cattle rearing. The calves are relatively cheap, and most of the people who buy don't raise them themselves.
You as a rearer
Your job doesn't end on paying your dues to your rearer, you are a rearer too. Nobody will take care of your belonging more than yourself. Therefore you have a responsibility to make sure that your herd is fine. Check time after time, see to the problems that may arise. Remember that how much you make depends on how good your cattle looks.It takes two to three years for a calf to grow to adulthood, it all depends on how well it was fed and cared for. During this period a waiting attitude is required of everyone involved. You should wait to see how the first herd goes before you think of buying more.
Adult cows are sold from N100,000 to 400,000 depending on their size, and that's when you reap the fruit of your labour. Put all expenses of rearing together to see how much you've made, that will give you the answer to the question of "should I continue?." I believe the answer you will find is yes.
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how much do you think one can start the business with?
ReplyDeleteYou can't say for certain. It all depends on how big you want to start or much you work out with your rearer
DeleteHow much can someone get calves? If someone want to start with 20 calves. What do you think i have to put in places and what do i need to start the business
ReplyDeleteAll you need is money. Calves prices aren't specific, it depends on what you work out with your seller. your seller tells you how much he will need to foster your herd
DeleteAnd if you can find your way to Niger Republic, you'll get it twice cheaper. You can arrange with someone who know the area very well to take you there. If you choose to buy from the herdsmen around, it's between N30,000 - N40,000. Like Samuel said, it all depends on your bargaining power.
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