RANCHES
Since its creation, SODEPA has set up a livestock system based on ranches spread over part of the country.
With its 383,233 hectares, part of which is occupied by ranches, SODEPA mainly owns cattle breeding areas. The company also works on the production of animals for breeding: heifers, breeding bulls. Among the products of these ranches are animals for slaughter: fattening animals, finished animals (fattened bullocks), reformed cows and bulls, and seeds of high-value forage species.
The demand for animal protein in Cameroon is far from being met and SODEPA is considering setting up ranches in the Sahelian part where livestock farming is a capital not for profit, but for preservation. It is a source of prestige for livestock farmers in these regions who have difficulty perceiving its economic value.
OUR NOBLE AMBITION
IS TO EXPAND THE BEEF INDUSTRY BY 2035
Cattle insemination
The company performs cattle inseminations with genetic improvement through selection, crossing and embryo transfer. Several breeds have thus been created :
- Simgoud: product of the cross between Goudali and Simmental;
- Charolais: purebred and mixed breed;
- Holstein purebred and mixed breed;
- Boran crossbred.
Livestock for fattening
The population explosion has increased the need for animal proteins and the State of Cameroon, conscious of this urgency, has set up fattening units on ranches, which will enable SODEPA to provide consumers with a substantial supply of animal proteins.
New fattening techniques are making it possible to improve animal production.
Fodder seed
With a view to improving the quality of animal production, SODEPA intends to introduce fodder crops. To this end, a feasibility study has been carried out and the seeds of fodder species have been selected. Prior to their use, the different varieties of fodder seeds will be tested and controlled in the laboratory: analysis of germination capacity, control of purity and sanitary analysis.
Fodder crops are essential for cattle feeding. Its production must take into account the energy and nitrogen value of the forage.