The Contribution of Cattle Fattening to the Improvement of the Living Conditions of Households in the Village of Konna (Mopti)

The purpose of this study is to analyse the impact of the practice of cattle fattening on the live conditions of the populations in the village of Konna (Mopti). One hundred and thirty one (131) cattle fatteners were interviewed based on a questionnaire focusing mainly on the conduct of the fattening activity; the constraints encountered and the impact of the fattening activity on the living conditions of the respondents, including observations in the field. A descriptive analysis is made with the analysis software SPSS-18 has shown that 95 (72.5%) men against 26 (27.5%) women practice cattle fattening activity. Respondents encounter some difficulties; only 16% benefited from loans from financial institutions. Cattle rationing is mixed, the most used feeds being brown cake (90.8%) and rice bran (85.5%). The acquisition of veterinary products is done on the local market (83.2%), itinerant merchants (6.9%) and ordered from outside (9.9%). The aim of the cattle fattening activity is to increase the pecuniary income for a better living condition. We witness that out of the 131 respondents 31, 3% were able to cover their medical expenses; 26.7% were able to pay for school supplies for their children; 10.7% were able to pay their rent; 67.2% saw an improvement in their food; 24.4% were able to carry out other income generating activities; 15.3% had access to drinking water; 13.7% had access to electricity, and about 23.7% of respondents sleep under an impregnated mosquito net.