Livestock and Livelihoods in Urban Niger

This article measures the magnitude of the role livestock activities play in urban Niger and identifies the main socioeconomic determinants for owning livestock in urban environments. Almost 40 percent of households in urban Niger own livestock, mainly as a source of additional income. Urban households are more likely to own small ruminants and poultry rather than large ruminants, as land and feed are not easily available in urban areas. Poorer households are more likely to rear livestock than households that are better off, even though wealthy dwellers own a higher number of animals. Male-headed households tend to have a higher number of animals than households headed by females. Owning livestock significantly contributes to the livelihood of poor households. The additional income plays a major role when such households face unexpected expenses. Tests using both descriptive and empirical data show that owning livestock does not constitute a source of animal food in the nutrition of members of these urban households. Understanding the role livestock activities play in the urban context will help local governments and development organizations better tailor, define, and address policies related to livestock ownership.