LIVESTOCK INFORMATION GENERATION FOR DOCUMENTATION AND CATTLE RUSTLING PREVENTION BY MARKET OFFICIALS IN KATSINA STATE LIVESTOCK MARKETS, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the types and sources of livestock information for documentation and cattle rustling prevention by market officials in Katsina State. A quantitative research methodology was employed, utilizing a cross-sectional survey design to find out the types and sources of livestock information being generated for documentation and cattle rustling prevention by market officials in Katsina State. A proportionate sampling technique was used to sample 198 market officials from a population of 539 across eighteen livestock markets in Katsina State. The data collected for the study was analyzed using frequency, mean and standard deviation. Key findings indicated that market officials in Katsina State generated various types of livestock information for documentation and cattle rustling prevention, including animal information, pictures/sketches of animals, information about animal sellers/producers, animal buyer information, animal broker/trader information, and transaction information. The sources of livestock information generated for documentation and cattle rustling prevention comprised of formal internal, formal external, informal internal and informal external sources. Recommendations arising from this study include incorporating animal permits as well as establishing standardized procedures for documenting livestock information from all sources and promote collaboration among formal institutions, informal sources, and market officials to build a more comprehensive information network.