Animal health is the biggest restriction to improving productivity of livestock in Ghana, where myriad of local diseases restrict animal productivity and cause high mortality rates. This is a result of reluctance by smallholders to administer vaccines, lack of knowledge about available medicines and the cost of and access to vaccinations and other medication. Over 50% of local farmers do not have any more than a primary education and the industry attracts an aging population. Many farmers lack basic production and managerial capabilities to efficiently manage their livestock. Because of this, they do not understand the importance of basic inputs such as provision of sheds for their animals, drenching, dipping or vaccinations of their livestock. This leads to poor animal health and business practices, low quality cattle and increased mortality rates.
