Though not necessarily in order of priority, the role of livestock, particularly cattle, in traditional societies, is: (a) the provision of drought animals for land preparation; (b) the provision of milk for home consumption; (c) the provision of manure for fertilization of cropping lands; (d) as a source of wealth and status; (e) for religious, social and ceremonial purposes; and (f) as a source of cash from the sale of beef.
It is recognized that peasant farmers who own cattle enjoy a higher level of productivity and standard of living than those who do not, and with limited land resources there is therefore keen competition between peasant families for cattle ownership and grazing rights.
In more arid region, where cropping is not practised, priorities for cattle ownership change and off-take from herds for sale is higher, but cattle remain a valuable source of milk and in some cases blood for family nutrition.